Mercado 23, the market in Cancun frequented by locals (vs. Mercado 28 that is all the tourist rage). We found out about it through reading info about Cancun before getting there; also learned more from the hotel staff who told us about it to differentiate it from where they were sure we wanted to go, Mercado 28…so wrong; I like to get off the tourist trail even though I am one. It’s a much better feel for a locale when you get into a little bit of the foreign everyday.
Being here was like going back in time for me. When I spent my childhood summers in Guadalajara with my Aunt Angeline, who owned a little café, I would go to one of the local markets every morning with her and my cousin to shop for the day’s menu. The variety of everything always fascinated me. Mercado 23 has been around for a while, but it has character. There was one shop selling medicinal herbs, and the sidewalk outside the shop was filled with very aromatic smoke; as I glanced up at jars that lined the shelves in front of the shop and saw belladonna, which is an old-time opiate, and other unknown names, I decided to move on quickly to avoid taking in too much of that smoke.
I’ve included these photos and more in the following gallery; open it up by clicking on any photo.
It was a great morning.
I’ll wrap it up next Sunday with my favorite places and faces in the Riviera Maya.
AngelineM's Blog 
My kind of shops. Love the colorful drinks. We have a lot of those in the Philippines, but this place looks cleaner and neat-er.
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The drinks always look good…but I always hesitate to try. I value my gastrointestinal health 🙂
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No, not me. I’d be slurping away in a jiffy. 😀
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I guess I’ve had too many run ins with Montezuma’s Revenge to be as daring 🙂
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You mean traveller’s diarrhea. 😆 I still would. I’m that crazy.
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I was trying to be lady-like….but yup, that’s what I mean 🙂
Yes, I think with all your travels you have thrown caution to the wind.
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What a marvelous slice of local life! I love markets and I would have opted for the less touristy mercado too 🙂
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It truly is. We actually had already gone to #28 which was fun, but #23 is where it’s at!
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I am in awe of your Aunt Angeline who owned a cafe in such an exotic place!
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My aunt was an incredible woman; she married a Mexican who was visiting in Texas where she lived, moved to Guadalajara and knew she had to make money to help the family. She went on to do quite well with the business and in turn helped a lot of the poor around the city. I think of her as the Mother Teresa of Guadalajara.
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what a wonderful place Angeline…wandering around must have been just a joyous experience
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It was indeed joyous. It really did just take me back in time. I love this kind of place and excursions like this.
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I want to explore places like this…
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For being in such a touristy part of Mexico, this little off the grid excursion was refreshing! I guess a matter of reading up on an area and/or talking to hotel staff or locals and ask about places that are off the usual tourist places.
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I like the side streets and off the beaten trail too!
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That’s where the traveler gets a good view of real life in a foreign city. And so much fun.
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I agree but sometimes you have to be careful, it depends on the city I think. I was warned repeated to stay in the resort on Barbados even though I really wanted to explore, I listened. : )
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You were wise! Best to listen to hotel staff or locals about where is safe and where is not!
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I know but sometimes……….: )
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🙂
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So full of colour. That is what I enjoy with markets such as this one.
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Thanks, Colline. These markets are always brimming with color and life!
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It nice to be off the tourist trail when you travel 🙂
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It is, Amy. Feels like richer experiences.
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One of the few times I’ve been out of the country, we spent the day exploring the market in Guadalajara, the largest open-air market under a roof in the world at that time. With diverse wares, including those from local craftsmen, it seemed a simple atmosphere not geared to tourists at all, but serving the basic needs of the city and its inhabitants instead. I love to go back to see the changes over 30 years.
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The market in Guadalajara when I would go there about 100 years ago, was immense, or at least it seemed so to me then, and lots of little shops around the outside on side streets as well. San Juan de Dios. I really need to get back to Guadalajara soon; I imagine it’s changed just a tad over the years!
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