Saturday at the "Tianguis"

On my trips to Mexico City, on Saturdays I am generally at the apartment I rent, rather than at Alejandro's house.  So I had never been to the "tiaguis" that is held each Saturday in his neighborhood.  The word "tianguis" comes from the Aztec language and refers to an open-air market.  Each neighborhood has its own "tianguis" which is held one day a week.  In Mexico City there are 1066 officially sanctioned outdoor markets.  In Gustavo A. Madero, the "alcaldia" or borough in which Alejandro lives, there are 160. 

Alejandro had to buy a couple things, so on Saturday we walked over there.

The local "tianguis" stretches for blocks along one of the streets and has grown to extend along another street.  Here you will find everything from produce, meats, shoes, clothing, cosmetics, toys, household goods, etc., etc. 

 

The bins of fruits and vegetables, many of them exotic items not seen north of the border, and some that even I cannot identify, are the most photogenic part of the market.

For hungry shoppers there are makeshift, outdoor restaurants serving food.

"Rica pancita" "Delicious cow's stomach"

No thank you.

A number of stalls were selling typical items for Day of the Dead, such as the sugar skulls which are a favorite with children at this time of year.