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Ah, it’s Saturday morning, my day for shopping at the Puriscal Farmers Market. It’s 7:30 as I head into Puriscal for my weekly visit to the feria (farmers market). I prefer going early before the large crowds arrive, so I still have time to attend to clients to show a property.
How to pay
I have only a single twenty mil (thousand) bill. Large denominations are unsuitable for bringing to the market because I rarely spend more than a few miles with any vendor. In fact, I often spend less than ten mil. So, on the way, I pull into the San Juan gas station and ask for cinco mil diesel, por favor. That ensures I’ll be able to pay the first vendor with a fiver instead of a twenty. Oh, don’t think you can pay with your credit card or dollars, make sure to bring colones.
Easy shopping
Having arrived at the fully covered market, I follow a similar pattern weekly. My first stop is for a (massive) head of lettuce and a cucumber. Allan tosses in a dozen or so cherry tomatoes. His produce stand must be twenty feet long, if not longer. If he doesn’t have what you want, he’ll point you to someone who has.
This week, my wife asked me to get potatoes I had purchased across the aisle. From there, I head over to pick up delicious, bright red tomatoes harvested yesterday. There’s nothing like a toasted BLT sandwich made from the freshest produce in town.
The next item on the list is half a flat of jumbo eggs. That’s fifteen eggs. Following that, it’s time to go bananas. I pick up a hand of eighteen – for one mil! They’re slightly green and will ripen to perfection over the next few days.
More fun
Usually, I’d then hop in the car and be on my way home, but this morning is different. I bumped into a friend as he was picking up kale and spinach. We decide to go for breakfast at Gustitos, a small soda a few hundred meters away.
I’ve barely touched the surface of what is available at the feria. In addition to the freshest produce, there’s meat, fish, cheese, honey, coffee, home-cooked foods, sweets, arts and crafts, and much more. There is a small sit-down area with tables in the back corner to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a snack with a friend. Rather than tell you more, I invite you to come and see for yourself. I’m confident you’ll make it an integral part of your life in Puriscal.
Here’s what filled the shopping bag. Total cost – 4,650 Colones. That’s $9.00. Natural, healthy fruit, vegetables, and eggs at bargain prices.
Please contact me to learn about living in Puriscal or for a property showing.
