Saturday Market morning and Party afternoon

Yesterday was a typical Saturday for our Chilote family. In the morning Lisa and Berto rode the bus into the market and in the afternoon we all went to a birthday party for one of Berto's classmates. Now that we are about to leave, we are in a flurry of picture taking so we can capture all the everyday moments that make up our life here.

The bus was a standard issue Castro micro, orange on the outside, well worn seats on the inside and an engine that lets you know it is coming without getting up to too high a speed. The driver was someone familiar enough to know which is our house, but not one of the bunch whom we know by name.

Now that winter is upon us rainy days are more frequent than not. No one had set up an impromptu table in front of the market. Berto and I said multiple 'permisos' and squeezed in the front door of the market building.

Right near the front was my favorite marmelade lady. If we could bring back food items, her rhubarb marmelade would be on all of our short list. Some of her more interesting flavors have been tomato, quince and apple blackberry. She also has the classics, blackberry and gooseberry, but I have not tried those. We have been well supplied by Tia Victoria and Clarita the cleaning tia at Carpe. I told the marmelade lady we were leaving and she wished me a good trip back to los EEUU.

The next familiar face was the solid older woman who has the best beets, carrots and greens. We usually swap a few words. Mostly she is anxious to sell all her vegetables. Today she was distracted by a customer when the camera came out. The lady next to her took some good natured ribbing for being caught on film with an empty potato box between her legs. The square boxes are a standard size and used as a measure for potatoes and apples.

Sunday through Friday the market has the full time fruit, vegetable and fish vendors in their stalls on either side of the hall. When I have been to the market on a Tuesday I can count on one hand how many customers are there to buy fruits and vegetables. Mid week most folks go to their local fruiteria for a few things for dinner. On Saturdays however, it is a different place. Local folks with a garden plot or a sheet plastic greenhouse harvest what they have and take the early bus in to Castro. The small time farmers lay out a tarp on the floor in the center of the market hall for their vegetables. There, sitting on an up turned crate, the rural folks sell their vegetables, fruits, eggs and baked goods. The food could not be fresher! The only problem is with a row running down the center of the hall, getting through the market is as snug as moving around a city subway at rush hour.

We made our way past the women selling the steamed shellfish. Early on I thought it was great to buy a liter of picked out shellfish for 1000 pesos ($2). After our summer experience with fresh out of the ocean cholgas and choritos, we switched over to steaming our own shellfish. Sure toting home 3 kilos of shellfish is harder than a quart ziplok, but the fresh shellfish in Chiloe is like no where else. We will sorely miss our seafood.

Unfortunately my friend the fish lady was not there. Her husband told me that this is not the season for fish so they were taking the time to spend at home. Ever since we figured out we have Julia as a mutual friend, we have enjoyed Saturday market chats.

So, with bags full, Berto and I retraced our steps back to the front of the market. While I was done, Berto was not. Early on he discovered the charms of the bakery ladies at the front of the market. At the same time I realized that we are best to enter on the other side and save the bakery stop for the way out. Hey, my little helper has to earn his donuts and pastry first!

After lunch, I went into town to record some English tapes at the radio station. The owner of the radio station is the brother of the founder of Carpe Diem. So when there I was in a recording booth taping dialogues and listening tests for future English students.

At around 3:30 I met up with the rest of the family, and Berto's pal Diego as Diego's mom Karina drove us all to a birthday party. Berto's classmate Cristobal was turning 7 and all of Primero Basico and their parents' were invited. Now that we can chat and know folks better, I rather enjoy these parties. The kids run around and do their crazy thing while the parents drink coffee and eat lemon pie. Berto showed his friendship to Cris by jumping up and down on the trampoline and play fighting with the birthday boy. Mike got a chance to compare Swiss travel notes with Gustavo (the birthday dad). Gabi wandered about amongst the taka taka tables and the girls whizzing by on roller skates and home made go carts.
Hot dogs and chips came and went and then it was time for cake. Cris posed with the cake and Berto's friend Diego. Moments after I took the photo, Cris blew out the candles put his face in the cake. I've been told face planting in your cake is a Chiloe kid thing to do. I can see why the parents prefer their own postre.

As the party was drawing to an end I tried to get a few pictures of the parents who have been our friends at these parties and whom I see everyday at school.

We've been invited to a Adios party for Roberto this Friday. As well Carpe Diem is throwing a Thank you presentation for all of us on Thursday in the gym followed by onces with the teachers. It looks like we will not be able to slip silently out the back door.....awww everyone is so sweet.