shopping and stocking

I usually like Fridays.
Friday means markets and fresh produce.If I'm not in a rush, and have some cash in my purse, I go first to the impromptu stall in the volley ball court just half a block down from my house. This guy unloads his truck with fruit and vegetables from Ambato and stays until about roughly four in the afternoon. He covers the boxes and sacks with a black plastic sheet supported by poles stuck into anything handy.
I buy oranges, pineapple, melon, papaya, taxo, and maracuya (not always ALL of that) and mandarinas king for juices.
I also get small white potatoes when he has them, yuca, maduros dominica-nicer than barraganetes, I think, frejoles tiernos,habas, and if they look really nice, carrots and onions. I never buy lettuce or tomatoes there, though.

I can get all of these at the supermarket, of course, where I also like to go because they have the electric shopping cart. But in the court I get to say hello to the people who have known me for twenty years and therefore call me by my name.

Next I like to visit Pacho and Maritza's organic stall in the Floresta market. If they have them I buy alot of tomatoes-beautiful and tasty. I buy organic lettuce, herbs, leeks, avocados, broccoli, lemons,pimientos and anything else they are trying and looks good. These days I don't anymore, but I used to but yogurt, cheese and eggs also. Martiza makes excellent bread, jams and spreads, too.

The Supermaxi has vegetable and fruit sales on Wednesdays so I try to go then. They have asparagus and sprouts that I can't get elsewhere.

In Queseras del Bolivar I can get mushrooms and nuts wholesale, plus cheeses, butter and pulses grown in a community outside of Quito.

On Tuesdays I can visit Magdalena's feria, held in her garage. She has organic strawberries as well as all the other usual organic items.

It feels really good to be surrounded by the products of a garden. I feel wealthy...and having everything on hand makes it easier to eat well, balanced and of variety.