Market and Church

Without someone telling me, I stumbled upon one of the best markets. However, the sad part is that they were closing in 20 minutes. It was clearly an old Antique market full of souvenirs. Anything you wanted they had it and they were friendly rather than pushy and sarcastic. Initially, I met a woman selling t-shirts for $10, but she didn't have the color I wanted.
  

Next, I met a beautiful Colombian girl. The long hair, nice body, and pretty smile-yep that's her! She had the best display in her shop with all the colors shining bright in your face. Colombians sure do love colors! This shop had the Mayan belts, backpacks, jewelry, coin purses, all kind of rocks and jewels from the Mountains, instruments, artwork, etc. The tribal patterns looked similar to Guatemala, but the prices were a bit higher(different product quality).

  

She kept saying I was pretty and I said she was pretty and I started with my Colombian female interview.

"Why are Colombian girls so pretty?"

 

Answer: "We like to take care of ourselves, our hair, our make up, or nails. It's part of the culture for women."

"Do they work out?"

Answer:  Some do light running or walking or the gym. I run about once a week."

"Hmm ok I see.

Do you eat food?"

Answer: She is laughing.

"Of course. I eat a lot of food."

 

"Like what kinds of food?"

Answer: I don't eat fast food, but I eat everything else. 

Basically she was telling me she eats a lot of food. The conversation with me shaking my head and her laughing. Oh these Colombian girls.

I ended up buying a Dream catcher, a bracelet from her, and a couple key chains. She was pleased and asked me to come back tomorrow for lunch. That was my departure day Of Course.

         

             

                         

We had to part and I had to head to the 7pm service at San Antonio. I must have asked 5 people how to get there and finally I made it, but late. The pastor was speaking about having faith in ourselves and in our communities. How do we have this faith when things feel hopeless? We have to lift our hands up and praise the lord, praise he lord, praise the lord. Only he can restore our faith and make us feel peace and excitement. 

          

                    

New Market

It's interesting to compare and contrast between the two markets. The old market is full of history, charm, and tourists strolling around buying souvenirs.  The new market is full of action- horses and carts, kids on motorbikes zooming through, fried foods, fruit carts, men selling watches.

When you come to the new market, you lose the charm and you hit reality.  It's the real life of these locals trying to make a living.  They are selling whatever they can to feed their children, to take the bus, and to buy things that they need. You can see this desperation in their eyes when they are selling.  It's not common for tourists to visit the new market because it's not a place for souvenirs and photographs-it's just the true life of people in Masaya.
 

The sales technique is different between the both where the old market is carefree with their selling. There are those vendors who are glued to your side and offering all sorts of discounts. But there are a majority that are just on their phones or sitting with their kids. They just give you a smile and let you know that they are there if you need them. You are able to have conversations with them and learn about their life. It's common to hear that it's a family business or many are just employees for owners. These employees do not have that urgency to sell because they get paid for their work.  Those working in the new market are working for themselves and their well being is on the line. 
Even though, each was composed of different dynamic qualities, both were fascinating for an outsider's eye.  The amount of vendors and spaces was overwhelming and it demonstrated that Morocco market maze. 

Where do they get all this stuff?
How much do they actually sell in a day?
Were they able to feed their families?

They are questions I did not get answered, but I always wonder about these people working in these markets. They work so hard getting everything there, setting it up, some not even having a car to transport it, working 12 to 15 hours a day-What is it all worth at the end of day? There needs are barely getting met and they are just surviving.   
 
All the food and clothes could go on for a good mile. All the kids playing underneath tables and running around barefoot. The manicure/pedicure spa(nice, clean with new floor) in the middle of this unclean market? A good $4 pedicure. What? They were both full of pleasant surprises and it was beautiful to witness the authentic local culture.  

            

Handicraft Old Market

The National Artisan market is my favorite market in Nicaragua. It's a great place to buy souvenirs and tours are available explaining the history. In here, they sell local food, baskets, pottery, hammocks, paintings, journals, shoes, t-shirts, and everything under the sun. The level of their creativity is astonishing as they come up with realistic ways to keep things.

                                   

In this market, I met some wonderful artists. An artist working strictly through his spiritual force and a painter for 30 years. I just sat and watched the brush slightly move on the canvas. I told them I need to take the time to do it. He said, "God will allow you the time when you are ready." This man left me with something to think about and I love that. His wife was just as kind and complimentary of my passion and my work.  

   This was pretty strange art

 

Another woman sat with me and explained with me the different kinds of art she was selling. I was really curious about the bigger women who hold the fruit in pictures. She said these women are "Mesquitas." These women are real women who usually can be found in the markets selling fruit. A famous Nicaraguan artist started this trend, but he did not end up selling many paintings. People did not have the response he was hoping for, but he continued to paint. The Ramas and sumos also come from the villages around Masaya. They are known to be strong and passionate women. While we are speaking, the tourists are in front of me with their tour guide saying and "There are the paintings." Then they just keep walking onto the next venue. It's quite interesting how I sit and have a  fifteen minute conversation and they just focus on the shopping. Of course, I don't want it to be this way for people-I don't.  

                                                   Ginger Pineapple Juice

Then I'm next door buying a T-shirt and trying it out strutting down the market like I'm on a cat walk. There was a pink and a black one and I chose the black one. 
The problem is that these people were so nice that I just wanted to keep buying from them! The most popular item to buy was a hammock and I found an amazing one for $12, but I did not have enough at the moment.  The other ones were $20 and up, which is still a good price, but when you're in the moment you question buying it.  

 

              

 

Famous Nicaraguan Masks

      

When I came back for this hammock, the guy was gone. But he did give me a Nicaraguan rain stick for $10, which I really just loved.  Souvenirs were not my thing, but in this market with the great prices-they were my thing.   Paintings were one of my main things to buy and there was an abundance of them.  I ended up buying a few paintings from a simply happy boy named Ricky. I bought amazing coffee for my Mom and a few more things for some important people.
After 4.5 hours(average tourist is 2), I left with my happy purchases and went on my way.

 

Outside the market I did some arepa cooking. This was not for a photo, she let me make one and I was shouting, "Arepas hot and ready," My American magnet only grabbed a few guys-she cashiered and I plated them. 

(They were almost ready so this was not a difficult task).

                                                        Traditional men's Masaya outfit 

                 

Bye Bye Belize

 Time to depart Belize taking one boat from Punta Gorda to the Honduras border.  It was a rainy day, again, and I woke up early to take a walk through the market. I bought some banana bread, which was super fresh.  The market consists of fruits and vegetables, special spices, and Belize specialty items. 


It starts on the water and then ends closer to the city. I ended up buying a coconut for an older gentlemen, 65 years old and selling coconuts since childhood.  Of course , I had my line of questions to learn about his background and why he enjoy his job.  He reported enjoying the social interaction with people and also it's been passed down in time. 

These are the people that just make my heart melt.  The ones passionate about simple jobs, the ones who love their home country, and their base for social learning comes from customer interaction. Thanks Ronald!

The center city of Punta Gorda is interesting as you have these, "cultural kitchens" all over with people turning their small houses into restaurants.  When buying my ticket for the boat, I asked where I can buy a water.  I walked upstairs and there was a kitchen and on the porch women were all sewing scarfs. When I asked what was happening there, he informed me that his wife and himself rented out that space for local mothers to work.  They assist them in selling what they make in the market-wonderful, just wonderful.


In Punta Gorda, you see real culture and real Belize. It is not sugar coated with tourist friendly spots rather it is just Belize. You can meet authentic locals who can share with you about their culture and how the live. You can also meet people who aren't so interested in sharing, but that's okay too because that is the reality of some places.

                                   

             

San Ignacio Market

This was such a lovely market with all kinds of produce, women selling tacos and quesadillas, fresh juices( tamarind and piccaya), clothing, jewelry, and more. 

Most people were speaking Spanish as the population is mainly Spanish. The population is largely Mestizo, Kriol, Mopan, and recent increase of Chinese. 

I spoke with some lovely people as the market usually is my best place for interaction. A man and I spoke about too faith and his love for Jesus. He said, "Sometimes people lose their faith and its sad when they live a life this way." Those who don't believe in anything are always a concern for me and especially for believers like him. 

Another girl I met with the dog 

 was selling puppies. She had four kids and talked about going to medical school in the US. She received a scholarship yet she would need money for living expenses.  She was inquiring about New York and the different places to live with her four kids and her boyfriend. I commended for her braveness going to the US with 4 kids-traveling with kids is a totally different ballgame than traveling solo.  She shared that it was important for her to go to fulfill the dream of her parents. It is common for people in Belize to aspire to be a doctor or a lawyer and many go the med school abroad.  It just seems like a bit of a leap in my opinion to strive for a career when many have such big families.  It is great if these careers are their purpose, but if the are being pressured into it then it's not the best idea. 

This young one seemed pretty content with her decision so I didn't say much about it.  I just helped her in thinking about a realistic place to live and some possible part time jobs.  When I asked about her boyfriend working she said he might not want to work. No comment
I spent the rest of my time wondering around the market I drank a fresh coconut juice and bought my favorite fruit-the dragon fruit. I had not seen one of these since Guatemala.e 

     

  Tacos and pupusas

                       

    Food carts 

Charming Antigua

  Little girls selling their handcrafted family       

  Items 

                 Always a lady selling mango

                       Adorable restaurants 

         

    Yikes I forgot the name of this church

               

               

           

               Jesus, Jesus, Jesus 

  

Center of Traditional Textiles where you can buy great gifts at a discount price. They have nice traditional tops and skirts for a 1/3 of the regular price 

                                      Beautiful artwork all over 

             

Morocco meets Antigua....

Oh Saberrico with its fresh juices, freshly made cacao chocolate, goji berries, fresh apricots, and brazilian nuts, organic pastas. A whole foods inspired place! So content in that little garden typing, listening to the birds, and eating away. I bought some food for the bus, chocolate truffles, fresh fruit bowl, and cashews-Delicious place.