The El Tianguis de Los Martes was all we hoped for. As you might know, we love a good local market. Probably myself more than Glenn when it comes to staying a long time though. Glenn gets tired of all the hecticness of it all but I kind of get off on it. And of course I get to snapping photos non-stop. We have been to the Tuesday Market twice so far and I am sure we will make it out again. It is not a “gringo market” so it is fun to see a slice of everyday life. The market is fabulous for people watching!! Once again everyone is so nice and friendly and we are finding that the Mexican people have a great sense of humor.
The market is easy to get to by taking the bus from La Comer/Mega. Just hop on one headed for Liverpool/Sorianna and go to the second stop past the mall, get off across from the Red Cross and walk over the pedestrian overpass and directly down the road and there it is. You can always ask the driver or someone else on the bus to let you know when to get off. The market is huge so you can’t miss it. Be patient though since this is a busy market and transportation to/from can be filled to capacity. Of course you can always take a taxi here and then hope to snag one again for the return after they drop someone else off. If you don’t have a lot in your hands after your visit it may be easier to take a short walk down to Sorianna on the main road and catch a taxi from there.
“Tanguis” means open air market and everything is available here under the tarps and metal roof! Tools, household supplies, food stalls, produce, make-up, animals, musicians, lots of piles of clothes and shoes in various states of wear, some brand new, go on and on. If you are looking for shoes you can certainly find them piled up. But matching up a pair can prove difficult. Men’s clothes are easier to sift through than women’s. I think because they are so much simpler. A pair of pants or shorts, a shirt, jacket and you are done. Women’s have so much more variety that I found it harder to find a style I like. It is coming into winter so there were lots of sweaters but the piles were huge and hard to go through when there are 10 other women pawing through them at the same time. I am still looking for a lightweight women’s rain jacket in vain. I feel the need to come one day on my own so I can really take my time to dig in and find that perfect item.
There is great produce here and it is cheap. We are finding that we pretty much stick with the markets and tiendas to buy our fruits and veggies instead of going to La Comer or Sorianna where the quality is not as good and the prices are so much higher. Also, they are not as much fun. We enjoy trading a friendly “buenos dias” with our favorite vendors and supporting the neighborhood businesses.
If you get hungry there are tons of great stalls to eat at offering everything you can imagine.
We may not always find what we are looking for but the Tuesday Market is a nice outing and fun to visit for a bit of local color. When you go you just need to relax and take it all in.
2 Comments
Hi guys –
I visited the Tuesday market when I was there in August, and was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size and volume of stuff to look at…but I’m looking forward to buying fresh produce (cactus?) on a regular basis there next year. And the gorditas – yum!!
Ria, your pictures are great!
Loving your blogs –
Hi Kathy!!! The market is just another fabulous part of San Miguel! We are looking forward to your return. Maybe we will go out there together.