Market

During most of the Food Network restaurant shows, there's a scene where the host goes to the market and talks about how this restaurant sends some guy here every morning to get the freshest fish, or beef, or chives or whatever. It's supposed to be kind of impressive, but I never really imagined that these places just sent guys to the supermarket when they needed flour.

I was thinking about that while I was getting breakfast this morning. On weekends we don't have food provided in the apartment, so we have to go out. A few weeks ago I found out that there are a lot of little food counters in the big market nearby that are open early, so I've been eating there. The one I go to is run by an old Peruvian woman and will sell you eggs, avocado, cheese, and something called Quaker (like a runny porridge slurry) for about two dollars.

It's kind of a neat place--all very chaotic and echoey. For some reason the vendors like to yell at you what they are selling, even though it's usually pretty clear that the guy with the fruit cart isn't selling cologne. Adding to the ambiance are the inside-out pigs and placards with bubonic plague prevention tips nearby.