I went to the most wonderful place on my day off on Monday (some Mexican holiday - Constitution Day), but it was no interesting museum or pleasant park. In fact, it was real dusty, the people there were pushy and the location is completely detached from Mexico's tourist neighborhoods, but as a self-proclaimed food lover - and cheapskate (although I prefer my mom's words 'sensible' and 'practical'), I had to make the foodie pilgrimage to Mexico's marketplace mecca, the Central de Abastos.
In two words, the Central de Abastos is an enormous market, but those two words don't begin to describe it. The Central reminds me both of a Costco and this flea market on Rte. 1 in Central Jersey that I used to go to so many years ago. The Central de Abastos could be their random love child - if that child was 327 hectares (like 327 football fields, bigger than many Mexican pueblos) and government-operated. An abasto is a provision, a supply, in general terms, just something you need - which is exactly what is for sale here. The Central de Abastos is whatever you need in bulk-quantity at rock bottom prices, sold by hundreds of individual vendors, and with some greasy places to eat scattered throughout. So, yeah, it's awesome (or, in two words, totally awesome).
My experience aside, I want to make clear my disclaimer - this is not a tourist attraction. The Central de Abastos is not easy to get to, or around once inside, or out of once done. I recommend it, but only if you know Mexico City well, its mass transportations system and general crowd precautions...and have lots of time.
*(There is no photography permitted within Central de Abastos. I actually got scolded by a cop for taking my camera out - because with everything that goes on in Mexico, this is a question of national security. Anyway, that's why both you and I have to settle for this lame, unappealing and unhelpful photo of the entrance.)*
No comments:
Post a Comment