Feria Libre

Feria Libre is the large market in Cuenca. I went there today to get some photos and to buy fruit. There are many sections to the market. There is the section where they have clothes and shoes and other miscellanous stuff (this is only open on Wednesdays). There is the section where they have live animals. The photo to the left is of Cuyes (Guinea Pigs). Yes, they eat these (I have tried it, see my post "Cuy" from October 26). They also sell baby chicks, rabbits, turkey, chickens (all are sold as food). Then there is a part where they sell dogs (these are not for eating), there are always many different kinds of puppies.

The next part I walked through was the fish market. It starts with Cangrejo (crabs). They are bundled in packs of 12 and they are still alive. They can't move because they are all tied to other crabs. Then they have shrimp (these are not alive). Then you get to the part with fish. There are whole fish, fish already cut up but still with skin and heads, and fish filets without skin or heads. In the photo below, there are trout and the large body on the top of the table already cut up is shark. The best part about this table was the dog underneath. He was licking up the juice from the fish on the ground.

Next comes the fruit market. This part is beautiful, there are many colors. The bad part is it is right next to the fish market so that is all you smell.

There is also a part with other meats (whole pigs, guinea pigs, beef) The sell every part of the animal that has been slaughtered. The tongue, the eyes, the intestines, the stomach, the hooves (they make soup with this ??). I did not visit this part today (the fish market was enough for one day).

My trip was successful, I bought some very good fruit (apples, bananas, granadillas).