South by South America Tour – Chile Part 2
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Santiago, Chile
A fruit vendor at the Mercado Tirso de Molina in Santiago, Chile.
A lettuce vendor at the Mercado Tirso de Molina in Santiago, Chile.
Another fruit vendor at the Mercado Tirso de Molina in Santiago, Chile.
As usual, I took most of the day off to rest up after my eight-hour bus ride yesterday. In the late afternoon, I strolled a few blocks north and crossed a bridge over the Rio Costanera Norte to a the Mercado Tirso de Molina to buy some bread, vegetables and fruit. The place is huge, containing dozens—if not hundreds—of stalls selling all kinds of fruit, vegetables, meat, grains, spices and anything else you can imagine. I spent a good hour wandering around soaking in all of the vibrant colors, aromas and sounds. It’s so much more fun, interesting and invigorating to shop here rather than the sterile grocery stores back home in the United States.
Playing Jenga at the Hostel Plaza de Armas in Santiago, Chile.
Playing Jenga at the Hostel Plaza de Armas in Santiago, Chile.
Wandering through the streets around the Plaza de Armas at night, I was amused by ladies on the sidewalk selling slices of homemade cake, each of which was held up on a box “table,” as well as a rag tag marching band consisting of dozens of teenagers roaming through the streets while they pounded on drums super loud with occasional blasts from a horn section. It was all so sloppy, spirited and wonderful. It’s also funny how there are a crazy amount of pharmacies on every block around here. You can’t walk more than a few yards without passing by one. Later at night back at the Hostel Plaza de Armas, I played a few games of Jenga with some fellow guests, which was fun. I hadn’t played that game in forever.
Words and photos ©2019 Arcane Candy.
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