Los Mercados de Lima – Lima Markets

Lima Markets where art thou?

I couldn’t help but think back to Dorothy’s famous line in the iconic childhood film Wizard of Oz “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto” when I first realized there were no more double espressos or maple pecan tarts to be had at my beloved favorite Canadian coffee shop Second Cup.

Naturally, I was a little bewildered and a tad lost wondering where my Peruvian neighbors purchased their food or even daily household necessities. With my curiosity piqued to its max, the other Peru volunteers and I ventured out into various Lima Markets and into a world of churros, hamburgesas, tortas and much much more.

Let me begin by saying that if you long to escape the over-trodden path that is the typical tourist circuit of Lima, begin by heading over to your nearest mercado to experience an authentic representation of Peruvian life. The morning is the most opportune time to cruise into the heart of these delightfully overwhelming mazes of fresh produce, butcher’s, baker’s and most likely, I wouldn’t be surprised, even candlestick makers.

The majority of venders are out at this time selling their goods and most Peruvians purchase their food early in the morning for the entire day since freshness is an important component of Peruvian way of life. As we entered one of our first Lima Markets in the town of Pueblo Libre the sight of newly baked chocolate cake, and warm caramel-filled churros immediately seized all of my attention.

It took a lot of will power but eventually I was able to draw my gaze to the local wonders of exotic produce; sweat mangos and papayas, buttery paltas (avocados) and tangerines, half of which I found difficult to identify and most of which were locally grown. Almost anything can be found at this mercado from household items, clothing and toiletries to even the infamous orange powdered Tang of the 90’s which apparently still exists and is going strong as I have seen it in a few Lima markets so far.

Visiting as many Lima Markets as possible can be an adventure.

After gorging on a delicious meal for roughly 4 soles (approximately $1 US) consisting of steak pieces, fried onions, rice, potatoes and a bowl of soup, I recommend heading over to Emancipación street in Cercado de Lima. This bustling street of shops and stands is divided into themed sections, one of which we volunteers have deemed “surgical alley” for its odd assortment of test tubes, ambulance beds, microscopes and oxygen tanks for sale. You can find anything in Lima markets really.

Almost anything you will ever possibly need is conveniently located right here and a lot of which is sold at an inexpensive price. Would you like to know how many pounds you’ve gained after a hardy market meal? To my amazement, this is indeed made possible by the people selling the chance to hop on a scale for 60 cents along the sidewalk. Forgot your cell phone at home? No worries, just ask one of the guys soliciting calls from their cell phones on almost every other block.

I have also recently discovered the many wonders and fruitfulness of my own neighborhood of Planeta. Just around the corner from our humble abode lives the popular “Hamburger Man” selling delicious hamburgesas from his own front door topped with fried eggs fries and salad for less than 2 soles. Further down from him is “Cake Lady” who, after the freshly baked caramel-filled cake I had last night, I’m hoping will become my new best friend.

After tasting the mouth watering fruits and foods bursting with flavor available right in my own neighborhood, it is clear that I may not be in Kansas anymore but I’m sure I’m pretty close to heaven.

Christina Baker Volunteered with the Karikuy Peru Volunteer Program out of Lima, Peru.

About the Author

Christina Baker

Having studied archaeological remains and ancient language for the past four years in Waterloo, Ontario, I have learned one thing…I don’t want to study old, dead things for the rest of my life. To read and write about the adventures and languages of old is fascinating and I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to learn about such things. However, although reporting on events of the ancient past can be rewarding I have always felt unfulfilled by the lack of immediate relevance it has to the present time. This has led me to volunteer with the Karikuy organization. Instead of reporting on past events as I have done throughout my BA in History, I’ve decided to give the present a try and write about the world I can see and experience around me. I look forward to meeting the people of Peru and sharing their stories and experiences as well as my own with others.

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