Los Tianguis, the Sunday Market
Last modified: April 3, 201852… Thoughts from an anonymous source, photos by Anders…
Sunday morning is market time in Arroyo La Aduana.
I have always enjoyed creative collaboration. One of my goals is to edit and design a book
– DVD intermixing my photographs, and videos, with words from people who know Álamos
well. The following thoughts were given to me by in 2003 by Kit Nuzum as I was
beginning to edit video from Spring and Summer of 1996. I think someone else wrote
these words with, or for Kit, possibly Liliana Carosso. For the time being we
will credit the famous Anonymous.
Sunday morning is colorful outdoor market time in Arroyo La Aduana.
“The Tianguis, a Sunday open air market where for four dollars we acquired six tomatoes
that smell vine ripened, five avocados in appropriate stages of ripeness for a week’s worth
of guacamole, two dozen unwashed ranch eggs, half a kilo of excellent Chihuahua cheese,
three bedding plants and the pleasant aftertaste of breakfast at the best fish
taco stand in Sonora…”
Discerning eyes, aware of quality and bargains, shop for produce.
“Like the blast of ranchero music from the adjacent CD stand accompanying purchases
at our favorite produce stall, the gentle generosity of the Mexican psyche makes
us love marketing and Mexico itself…”
A proud face made beautiful by life's challenges and aging wisdom.
My notebook indicate that this woman’s name is Alejandico Lopez. I would be
so happy if these notes were right. And now back to Anonymous…
“Learning to be quick of hand when the Mexican housewives crowd in
ahead of you and plop their purchases on the scale while you patiently
stand aside, they know you are a gringo. You wear silver not gold, white
women wear men’s hats, so you extend an extra effort to be courteous.
Never mind, just get these potatoes on the scale, that cilantro looks
nice…”
They come from all over the region with things to buy and sell.
Sunday, north of Arroyo La Aduana, there is an open-air market filled with people
and music. Meals, snacks, produce, clothing, toys, tires, bikes, tools and
what ever folks bring to sale fill out both sides of a colorful promenade.
It is a wonderful place to shop and meet neighbors, family and friends, new and
old. These market scenes were filmed during Christmas, 1993.
What better place to be on a beautiful Spring Sunday morning.
There are many places to be on an Álamos Sunday. One is the open marketplace
los Tianguis. Merchants arrive early to setup their wares. The morning starts calm
as customers begin to arrive. Soon the breezes have arrived. Cottonwood leaves rattle
in the wind. Music floats from booth to booth. Children laugh and adults barter.
For many this is an important shopping trip for others its is reason to be out,
see and be seen.
Together they are a community, one for all, all for one.
Brisk Spring winds continue on through the late morning at los Tianguis in Arroyo Aduana.
This is small town Mexico. Family, friends, eating, shopping, and catching
up with those one hasn’t seen in awhile: months, weeks or maybe an hour ago.
A place to be if one needs something.
It is early Sunday morning in the crowded arroyo shaded by giant alamos, cottonwood,
trees. Vendors are set up with a wide range of products. Cooking food, music
and conversation fills the air. Not far away, Bishop Reyes Cathedral’s bells
ring out. It is getting warmer and our walk begins.
2017 Sunday morning in the arroyo
This time-lapse studies a March 5, 2017 warm going on hot Sunday morning
Tianguis outdoor market in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico. If one needs something
there is a good chance it can be found here along with family and friends
out and about shopping. When Anders last visited in 1996 the Tianguis was
on dirt and now it is paved with decorative benches and rock infrastructure.
And is much is the same: people shopping, mingling, talking, laughing,
eating and music… Video and editing by Anders Tomlinson.
To see more Alamos Journal pages.
To return Home.
©2013 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.
