The Jardin, and the Mega

Yesterday was a random, need-to-be-productive kind of day. We still did our walk down the hill to town, found a little breakfast, then explored El Jardín., where you there is fantastic people-watching and the opportunity to buy yet more darling handmade goods. I think we already have a suitcase full of such stuff.

We managed to catch the Sunday noon-time bell ringing at La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, a much beloved and really stunning church at the center of town. I was about to write about the history of the church, but of course its history can be found all over the internet. But it is interesting that "the church was built in the 17th century with a traditional Mexican façade. The current Gothic façade was constructed in 1880 by Zeferino Gutierrez, who was an indigenous bricklayer and self-taught architect." (Those who have visited La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona will see a resemblance here - some people say that Guierrez was inspired by postcards of that iconic structure). There are actually guys up there, physically ringing the bells. I wonder which hurst worse afterwards, their ears or their arms...

 

 

Walking through El Jardín is perilous with a 7yo girl who likes pretty things...the shopping is pretty irresistible. Fortunately we haven't scored one of those huge balloon-y things yet.

Then we finally made our way - via taxi, of course - out to the Mega, which everyone recommends for the big grocery shopping trip. The little markets in town are charming, but when you're in need of some everyday staples (peanut butter, granola bars), it's nice to have a big store to choose from. But - oy - the Mega is really, really big, and has many things we don't usually see in a grocery store in the US (this is definitely not Trader Joe's!).

Things like mattresses...

And mopeds...

...and - YIPPEE!....pool toys...

Let's see, we need some balls and coloring books, maybe a new cooler, oh and a couple of new rifles....

 One fun area was the fresh bed section...it took us a few minutes to figure out that we were supposed to grab one of these trays and some tongs, and choose our selections...

Chloe's making it an action shot...

And then take your tray to the ladies behind the counter, who weigh it all to figure out the price (while they're baking lots and lots of bread). Clever.