MÉRIDA, YUCATÁN – For those who don’t know it, “Mercado
de la Chem Bech” (Chem Bech Market) is located on Calle 57, at the corner
of Calle 42, in centro. In addition
to the main markets in the middle of the city, there are three other
neighborhood markets in centro, of
which Chem Bech is one (the others are Santiago and Santa Ana). Although not as
popular with the foreign community as the Santiago area, the east side of centro has a number of expats living in
it, many of whom shop from time to time at Chem Bech.
Recently, the market has been looking a
little tired, and happily, renovations have begun. The market building is now
completely cleared of vendors, who have temporarily relocated to a tented area
in the roadway on Calle 42, making for an ‘intimate’ shopping experience due to
the lack of space and tightly packed shelves of products.
The interior of the building is partly
empty, and partly occupied by piles of rubble – renovations are expected to
take approximately another ten weeks, although vendors I spoke to this week
told me that work is proceeding faster than expected and they are hopeful they
will move back inside earlier than planned.
The ‘loncherias’
at the side of the market on Calle 42 (popular spots for breakfast and evening panuchos) are still operating normally,
as are the small tienditas along the
other side on Calle 57.
We are looking forward to seeing a bright
and shiny new Chem Bech market soon. Watch this space for pictures when it
re-opens!
No comments:
Post a Comment