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The only way to truly enjoy an Andean market is to let go of all inhibition, pre-conceived ideas and to take on a playful and explorative attitude. Walking round a market is interesting but visiting a Sacred Valley market can be so much more than ‘just interesting’; it can be engaging, memorable, a highlight, energising and special!

Chicha drink and traditional corn bread

Hidden away just off the main market area is a bakery selling a lot more than just bakery goodies. Through charades I found out that the black stuff in the barrel was Chicha – black corn drink. The owner of the barrel in his own take on charades explained that the best way to drink it was with lime juice. Game to give it a try, much to his giggling delight I experienced my first black corn drink and instantly fell in love with it. After that I wouldn’t drink anything else except Chicha!

While I was savouring the black corn drink the owner showed us how they roasted guinea pigs (which I couldn’t bring myself to try) and how they made traditional corn bread. Even though I am wary of eating street food, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try traditional bread. I figured that I saw them make it using reasonable hygiene precautions and it was baked in a hot oven! Chicha and traditional corn bread go really well together.

The silver jewellery shop

Wandering through the market street we found a silver shop. Escorted to the back of the workshop we were given a demonstration on how they make their silver jewellery. There was a team of 8 people each having their own speciality from spotting faulty silver to cutting and shaping the stones used to decorate the designs. The shop owner bubbled with enthusiasm and pride; showing us how to tell if something is real or fake silver in order to work out its true value.

Bargaining, appreciating and talking

Of course the market is also about buying souvenirs, fashionable items or presents for friends. I really enjoyed the whole process of bargaining with the sellers. I found it a subtle dance of two minds meeting, a graceful dance between what I was willing to pay and what they were willing to accpet. Often the negotiations were done through writing because of the language barrier. Yet somehow, even with a language barrier conversations would spark up. I found that more often than not even just stopping to admire something would start a conversation which would leave us both feeling good. Though they would have preferred to have their wares bought, they also enjoyed it when someone told them how beautiful it was and appreciated the hard work they had put into making it.

I seem to have got addicted to the markets, the people, the colours and the atmosphere. It is not often that I want to spend hours wandering around a market, but I found given a choice I wanted to be at the market. I wanted to be where the locals were buying their stuff, selling their stuff or sitting around in the sun.