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Kimberly Santos
Photo by Belize Mennonite Blog
It's 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning. You're lying in bed, thinking about how summer is just around the corner and you haven't bought a single new summer outfit. Or maybe, you told your friend you'd go to the river bash with them, but you're not going to be caught dead in the same swimsuit you wore last year. When you open your refrigerator, you realize you haven't bought any of the fruits and vegetables you swore you'd have to finally start that diet you've been preaching about. "Grrr!" your stomach grumbles at the thought, a reminder that you haven't eaten or drunk anything since your outing at Club Next last night. “Ring, Ring…!” It's your mother. "Don't forget to buy a souvenir fu your aunty from States." Oh no! There's so much to do and so little time.
Worry no more; I have the perfect solution for you!
The market square in San Ignacio is what I like to call a poor man's shopping mall. But don't get me wrong; this one-of-a-kind experience is anything but poor. Sure, there aren't any marble tiles on the floor or air conditioning. You won't find any cutting-edge technology or savvy businessmen pitching you sweet deals. This shopping center is unlike any other: a comforting feel of the authentic life of local Belizeans.
A network of rough cement walkways with dusty roads in between forms a peculiar maze with tents lined up sporadically. Produce stalls are on the far right of the market square; food stalls are in the center; and clothing, knickknack booths, and souvenir stalls are scattered about, spilling onto the streetside. Who can miss the bicycle vendors calling out their daily sales: "Seaweed para eh eh!" And "Donuts, meat pies, and Johnny cakes?!" You can find almost any snack you're craving at these bicycle carts.
Ever since I can remember, I've gone to the San Ignacio Market Square nearly every Saturday morning, and I still look forward to it every weekend as an adult. I remember my mother waking me up at 6 a.m. "Hija, let's go to the market." If you woke me up that early on any other day of the week I'd be irritated; but on Market Day, I was almost always the first one out the door. I couldn't decide which I was more excited about, the booths selling second-hand American toys or the old man selling illegally ripped DVDs of the latest movies released in theatres in the States. In any case, I knew that shortly before I entered the belly of the beast – the loud, hot, wonderfully overcrowded environment – my mother would hand me a $5 bill I could spend however I pleased. At 8 years old, I could do millions with five dollars!
Photo by Maya Walk Tours
When you arrive at Market Square, one of the first things you should do is get yourself a nice, warm breakfast. There are so many delicacies to sample, all of which are prepared using traditional local recipes. Head over to the food station before you begin any of your shopping and thrilling activities. Trust me; you’ll need the energy! As the rowdiness of the crowd surrounding you increases, the fragrances of rich spices and sweet pleasures flood the air, galvanizing your senses.
Tacos, pupusas, burritos, panades, salbutes, and a variety of other dishes can be found at the food station, and that's just the breakfast menu! The best feeling in the world is sitting under a tent at the peak of dawn, feeling the cool air of the Macal River on you. The steam from your hot coffee hits your face as you await the delicious breakfast being prepared especially for you.
My favorite treat is the pupusas, corn-based patties topped with tomato sauce and cabbage and stuffed with beans, chicken, and stretchy mozzarella cheese and cooked by friendly Salvadoran women. This filling breakfast gives you just enough energy to fully participate in the activities you really came for. The best part is, this meal will only set you back five dollars.
Photo Credit: Belizing.com
After you've fueled your tank, stretch your legs and get to the real fun part of the day: wandering around and seeing what each vendor has to offer. I prefer to begin with the second-hand clothing stalls. “Thrifting,” as coined by social media influencers, has become all the rage online, with people competing to see who can find the best and trendiest pieces at the lowest prices.
The smell of used clothing and shoes can be a bit overwhelming, along with the bustle of anxious women sifting through the mountains of clothing. However, I advise you to keep going since I once stumbled upon a vintage Chanel tweed skirt for just 4 dollars! Trust me when I say the hassle is totally worth it! The prices and quality are unbelievable, and, when you buy second-hand, the chance of seeing someone else wearing your outfit is highly unlikely. Win-win all around; no debate about it!
As you continue walking through the market square, you might also stumble upon a couple of souvenir stands. These are typically marketed to tourists, but locals like myself enjoy having these art pieces in our homes. The options are endless, varying from handcrafted jewelry to hand-woven baskets, paintings, and knick-knacks for your shelves.
A word from the wise: if you approach these merchants with your finest Kriol, the prices will significantly decrease once they realize you're a local too.
Ale's Beach Treasures, a women-owned stall run by a charming Mayan woman with a talent for producing exquisite jewelry from sea glass she and her children collect, is one of my favorite stops at Market Square. Her jewelry is crafted with silver or gold-plated wire and chain links, and each item is one-of-a-kind, accentuating a unique piece of sea glass. I've purchased earrings, necklaces, and rings from Ale's for as little as $20 each. If you're searching for a unique piece of jewelry for someone special or in need of a rare Belizean keepsake, I recommend paying a visit to Ale's Beach Treasure shack or any of the numerous stalls with handcrafted items.
Photo by Ale's Beach Treasure
Before you call it a day, remember that Market Day isn't complete without picking up your weekly supply of organically grown fruits and vegetables. Hand-pick any fresh produce you need for your home from the produce stands at the best prices. Remember, you can always bargain or compare prices to find something that best fits your budget.
I recommend hitting the produce section last, though, since this might end up being your heaviest load. I personally make it a point to grab at least one fruit or vegetable to use in a new smoothie or dinner recipe for the week.
So, the next time you're looking for a new summer outfit, need to stock up on fresh produce, or are in the mood for a delicious local meal, head to the San Ignacio Market Square on any Saturday morning. This historically significant part of the town is something that every Belizean should experience at least once in their life. Believe me when I say that once you've been there, you'll be returning every week!
Kimberly Santos is a secondary school English education major at the University of Belize. Currently residing in San Ignacio Town, she enjoys reading romance novels and keeping up with social media through content creation.
