Paradise and the Kitchen Sink

A quest into a Peruvian market.

Welcome to Los Organos, Peru where a billboard, which no longer exists, greeted travelers with the message, "Paradise exists in Los Organos!"

So, is this truly Paradise?

There are, fortunately, other monikers in evidence also making this claim.

Peru

Los Organos is situated on the north coast of Peru, close to the equator, so the weather is warm year round. The mega tourist town of Mancora is 13 kilometers north, and while Macora gets wild and

wooley drawing visitors from all over the world for the surfing, kite surfing, beaches and parties, Los Organos is much more peaceful and more true to typical Peruvian villages.

Pristine beaches, some deserted most of the time, abound. Sunshine. Warm weather. Paradise?

As is typical in Latin American towns, there is a central plaza. This plaza is like the living room of the community. People gather for socializing, special events, to sell their wares, or to watch the

people and goings on in town.

The market district is situated a short block from the main plaza and takes up the equivalent of one city block. At its center is a large warehouse type building housing the mercado. Surrounding this

are stalls where families have set up businesses.

What does the kitchen sink have to do with anything? Think about the saying “everything but the kitchen sink.” This seems to be literally true here……..I am on a quest to find the kitchen sink.

I find kitchen bowls, racks, baking dishes, earrings, storage containers, stools, hair ties and bands, Barbie dolls………

Radios, stereos,light bulbs, fly swatters, screwdrivers, plastic toy guitars, clocks, propane stoves, cooking ranges, lamps, batteries, clothes, shoes, sports equipment, fans, scissors, watches, plastic

chairs and tables, bathroom cleaning supplies, shoe polish, flashlights, knives, extension cords, levels, bicycle pumps, umbrellas, meat thermometers, measuring tapes, neckties.

I find dishes, kitchen gadgets, pitchers, vases, glasses, mugs, silverware, pots and pans, dusters, strainers, paint rollers, paint brushes, fanny packs, tea pots………

laundry aids, belts, saws, sponges, canisters, frying pans, mirrors……

sheets, tablecloths, thermoses, underwear, blenders, hot pots, socks, coffee pots, scales, books, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, picture frames, knick knacks.

I find cutting boards, graters, kitchen utensils, fly repellent, a rubber machine drive belt, 12 in 1 remote controls, radio controlled toys.

I find fabrics, sewing threads threads, embroidery threads, yarn, pins, needles, zippers sold by the meter, buttons, ribbons, snaps, velcro, towels, blankets, curtains, and pillows.

I even find craftsmen working….. A tailor, who makes all manner of

household products, set up by his stall in the market.

A watch repairman who set up his little “shop” on the sidewalk.

Even flowers.

Underwear, bras, herbs and spices.

And, just today, hand-held sewing machines on display on a small table amidst the meat market.

I find beef, and pork (on occasion) cut in very imaginative ways.

chicken, sometimes even goat or duck.

I find yellow fin tuna, shark, mero, cabrillo, and other types of fish…….

shrimp, calamar, octopus and snails.

Vegetables galore…even though Peruvians aren’t fond of vegetables other than potatoes….They are proud of their potatoes and the fact that there are at least 3800 different varieties in Peru.

I find onions, sweet potatoes, choclo, corn, peas, beans, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green peppers, rocotto peppers, spinach, bok choy.

Fruits too, of course…..pineapple apples, mangos, peaches, grapes, tangerines, grapefruit, avocado cherimoya, maracuya, olives, limes. You’ll also encounter spices, herbs, and other

concoctions for cooking.

EEWW…….MAYBE IT IS BEST NOT TO LOOK TOO CLOSELY.

Bocanegro family stall

Most of our grocery shopping is done at the Bocanegro family stall. We enter into the stall, hand the attendant our list and she or he gathers our things together. They pick out the produce, under our

watchful eyes, and pull things down off the shelves. Even though we often pick out our own items, they truly prefer we not do so. They seem to have a good selection and the quality is usually good.

“Quality”And quality is advertised as you enter into the stall. But now quality is a relative term……

The attendants sweep and cull the bins constantly, but it never seems entirely clean. Sacks of grain, flour, rice and sugar remain open to the air and attract their share of bees, wasps, and flies.

Cockroaches abound in the egg cartons and dogs and cats roam around freely….

Fresh looking lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, cucumbers, hot peppers, coconuts, melons, egg plant, dog and cat food, dish soaps, shampoo and spices.

New produce comes in on Wednesdays….so Mondays and Tuesdays can be slim pickings.

UGH…….MAYBE IT REALLY IS BEST NOT TO LOOK TOO CLOSELY.

“Beach market”Next, I visit Beach Market, which is actually one of two of the

same name. The other is directly across the street and is

owned by the same people. This is the most modern in town.

It boasts tile floors, one shopping cart, a couple of shopping baskets, an ATM and a refrigerated deli case.

And an actual check out stand.

Look up and I see an office which overlooks the sales floor.

I see a color scheme and modern lighting. And, no obvious cobwebs or accumulated…..what?

I look down through a window in the liquor section, and see the basement.

Here you can walk the isles and choose your soda, water, beer,

chips, milk, juices, candy, ice cream, bread, oils, flour, cleaning supplies,

and toiletries. Clothespins are alongside contact cement, rat poison, playing cards and shoe

polish. M&Ms and Snickers bars are stored in the deli case along with cheeses and lunch meats, bacon,

butter, chicken and sausages. Fresh veggies and fruit are scarce here; as

are eggs. You can also recharge your pre-paid phone here.

I find lots and lots of candy. ¨Travesuras¨ (translates pranks, as in naughty pranks) and GIANT lollypops.

But, oops. What’s this? Someone’s trash left behind on a shelf.

Maray hardware

The last store I’ll visit is Maray’s hardware store.

Here, again, I find all manner of things; tools included. Bungy cords, knives, super glue, Killer brand rat poison, dog shampoo, shower heads, gloves, tape, nuts and bolts.

Drill bits, box cutters, scissors, allen wrenches, saw blades, batteries, carabiner clips, padlocks, screwdrivers, measuring tapes, doorknobs.

Broom and handles, sold separately. Doormats, hoses, ropes, cement, grout.

Paint, brushes, rollers, pry bars, face masks, insecticides, chisels, sanders, sandpaper.

A Ha! Kitchen sinks!

And, a man cave poster!

I found the kitchen sink but did I convince you

this is Paradise?

Well, all things considered, if you sit on the beach on an evening to watch the sun set over the ocean with a warm breeze blowing through your hair, and man’s best friend by your side…. ,

And sit and watch local seabirds dallying in the late afternoon

light.

And encounter an occasional flamingo who is visiting after

being blown off course out of its normal habitat.

And keep a eye out to see examples of the bountiful

marine life.

Sink your toes into the warm sand……………… Then put on your rose colored glasses…

And it sure seems like Paradise.

This travel log brought to you by

Karen LindsleyCredits:Thanks to all the merchants of Los Organos.