I ♥ Mercado Camacho

10.06.2003

I just had the best burger in a long, long time. Perhaps ever. There's a burger stand just alongside the entrance to the Mercado Camacho. For 3 Bs. you get a delicious burger and a side of fries. You stand alongside the stand's counter, eating your burger shoulder to shouder w/ all types. The aroma of lean, ground beef and ají (hot sauce) wafts over while you eat. Yum.

Then I walk over to my fresh fruit juice seller. I have fresh chirimoya & milk, bleded together. Only 2 Bs. Wow. Too delicious for words. Tomorrow I think I'll try strawberries, or maybe mango.

Then I go down to visit my casera for some household cleaning supplies. She greets me w/ a "¿Cómo está, patroncito?" and we chit chat about the little things I need. I get most of them from her, except a sink stopper, which she didn't have. She'll bring me one tomorrow.

I'm glad I finally have a casera. That relationship's very important. This is how most people shop in Bolivia. They go to "their" market and visit "their" caserita, who treats them well and gives them good prices. Even shopping depends on social relationships.

I've also decided that I'm going to buy a fridge. I don't need to cook, but I'd like to have milk for cereal, vegetables for fresh salads, and cold cuts & cheese for sandwiches. This means, of course, that I'll have to find another casera for my meat & dairy products, since my current casera only sells dry goods and cleaning supplies. But that's OK; the Mercado Camacho is pretty large, actually.

Posted by Miguel at 07:01 PM

Comments

Awesome, I'm hungry and you made it worse... and your reminding how easy and convinient it is to be able to walk to stores and do shopping. Life without a car. :(

Posted by: Andres at October 7, 2003 06:03 PM

How much is a B worth, and do you have a casara for tech goods like blank cd's?

dan

Posted by: dan at October 8, 2003 12:46 AM

The exchange rate is $1 = Bs 7.73

Posted by: miguel at October 8, 2003 10:28 AM