La Paz (Mexico) | San Jose Organic Market - Day 20

There is an outdoor Mercado Organico (Organic Market) every Saturday morning in San Jose del Cabo. I look forward to exploring the market this morning before relocating to La Paz again.

Since arriving in San Jose del Cabo, I haven't been very social at the hostel. The people are great, especially Noelleline and Patrick, who are from Québéc. The couple is volunteering at the hostel as thru Workaway.info. I've plunged deeply into a reflective mood, as I spend time reading my blog and making some tweaks. The time I have spent thus far has also caused me to reflect on other things besides the blog. I enjoy it tremendously! I suspect this was inevitable after being on the road for nearly 200 days.

Last night, however, I had the opportunity to visit Noellelin and Patrick more. I always enjoy conversing with French Canadians. It reminds me of when I lived there. French Canadians speak a unique form of French. Really, it is Franglish. At least, that is what I call it. I've noticed that Canadians frequently toggle from French to English in the same sentence by inserting one or more words into their sentence without skipping a beat. I find comfort in this speech pattern, which makes me feel at home. 

"Are you working while you travel?" asks Noelleline. Our conversation continues in French. No, I quit my job last June, and I've been on the road since. Last summer I spent 6 months in Europe. As I share my amazing adventures, Noellelin says, "Mais c'est hot ça! (That's hot!)." Soon after, I show her and Patrick my blog and web address. "We will be sure to follow it. I like taking pictures, but I don't want to write about my travels," says Noelleline. I look across the table at Patrick. That's why you have Patrick. I say, " let him do all the writing as I smile at Patrick. He looks up, having heard his name, and smiles. Soon after, we all part ways and call it a night.

"Where are you headed this morning," says Noelleline? I plan to check out the organic market as I hand her the keys to the hostel. After that, I plan to relocate to La Paz. I really like it there, and you guys are full tonight, I say. "You'll like the organic market. It is really nice!" she says.

A short walk east from the hotel, and down a dirt road, I arrive at a sign at the fork in the street. The Mercado Organico is on the right. Finally, I arrive at the market after a few hundred meters (yards).

The organic market reminds me of the Sunday Farmer's Markets back in Colorado, United States. Mercado Organico has fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, and food. This is a great and unexpected find in San Jose. One piece that catches my attention is this mini sculpture of the whale shark. That was such an incredible experience. I heard earlier today that the whale sharks have left La Paz, and the tours have stopped. I was fortunate to take advantage of it a few weeks ago.

The market is not the biggest I have been to. However, it offers a wide range of things. By 11 am, the market is starting to fill up. There are even outdoor yoga classes here. I sure miss my daily yoga routine.

I am starting to get hungry, so I make my way to the northeast corner, where all the food vendors are. I find a local ma and pa stand serving various food, including tamales and pozole. I have yet to have a tamale in Baja, so I order one and a bowl of pozole. Tamales are made from masa, a traditional corn dough stuffed with chicken, pork, beef, or cheese. A tamale is traditionally wrapped in corn husk then steamed. This tamale is made with chicken and a green sauce; below my tamale, I start to unwrap.  

The unwrapped tamale is perfect. I love tamales and frequently make them. They are, however, labor intensive to make. Nevertheless, they are so good to eat! This tamale is cooked perfectly! When a tamale is made correctly, it is moist. This one is perfect and unexpectedly large.


After finishing my tamale, I start eating my bowl of pozole. Wow! This is so good too! Have I said how much I love traditional Mexican food? 😂

I pass a booth that sells handmade products, including soap. There are over a dozen bars, but when I grab the Elephant Tree bar from Desert Soaps. The smell is intoxicatingly sweet. I can't put it down and purchase a bar for my travels. The Creo Sage Scrub was a close second. Desert Soaps will ship, and all soaps are made here from ingredients harvested in Baja, Mexico.

At 2 O'clock, I board the bus and head to La Paz. I enjoyed being and La Paz and look forward to spending more time there. Once north of Cabo San Lucas, Highway 1 parallels the Pacific Ocean. I seldom sit next to the window as I always feel cramped, but today I didn't have a choice as my seat was assigned to me.

I peel the curtain back and enjoy the scenery. As we drive north, I spend my time spotting and watching whales. I see countless fountains, several whales surfacing, and the occasion breach. I doubt I would get tired of watching these magnificent creatures. I had no idea how abundant they were here in Baja, and I am so happy that I have seen so many on this trip.

I walk down to Mariscos Los Laureles, a local seafood restaurant, for dinner. The waiter tells me they are out of many things tonight, so I order the fish ceviche. For 100 Pesos, I get a large bowl ceviche. This was a good call and a great meal on my return to La Paz.