Tasty photo ops in México DF

One day during my November ’12 trip to México Distrito Federal (aka Mexico City), our tour group stopped at Mercado de San Juan, or San Juan Market (Eje Central y La Viga; open daily 10-6), where chefs shop for imported cheeses, 51 kinds of domestic Mexican cheeses and dried hams from Spain.

After looking at the worms, grasshoppers and morel mushrooms for sale at the entrance, we lost no time in finding other exotic photo ops. 

The fish market was particularly photogenic. The ugliest creatures were the bony redfish, and most intriguing, resembling stained-glass windows, were the gooseneck barnacles. 

Beyond the sausage and chorizo stands, there were piles of mussels, clams, jumbo shrimp and oysters. Satiny pink suckling pigs and skinned bunnies sporting furry leggings made me consider becoming a vegetarian. 

We could have stayed all day, but the time came to move on to Plaza Garibaldi, a recently redeveloped area surrounded by cantinas. Tranquil in the morning, the square — a gathering place for mariachi bands — fills with music in the evening.

Behind a plot of beautiful blue agave was the Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal (Plaza Garibaldi s/n Col. Centro, 06010 México DF, México; phone 5529 1238 or 5526 6540 — Open 1-10 Sun.-Wed. and 1-midnight Thurs.-Sat.).

The four-dollar entrance fee included not only a guide who explained the production process of tequila and mescal but five shots on the open-air patio of La Cata Café. 

There was just time for a brief stop at one of México DF’s famous candy shops, Dulceria Celaya (5 de mayo 39, Col. Centro). There we photographed sugar skulls and Day of the Dead scenes made of candy.

DOROTHY AKSAMIT

Sausalito, CA