Click to enlarge the photo and see the bunny in the box at the clown's feet. While the clown works the street, the bunny hops from lane to lane and back to the safety of its box. It's very well trained--but just for this one trick.
Mexico calls its under-the-radar businesses 'informal commerce'. These very individualized businesses include a lot of ambulatory salespeople, service people, and curbside entertainment. You'll see them working in every city: windshield cleaners, fire eaters, balloon vendors, candy and fruit sellers, jugglers, and people doing anything that someone else might pay to buy or see. In these difficult times of la crisis económica (no translation needed, right?), more people than ever are squeezing a living out of tips from drivers and passengers in cars stopped at any traffic light.
"Don't take my picture, take a picture of these folding lap tables I'm selling. Don't you want to buy one for yourself?" Click any photo on Mexico Cooks! to enlarge it for a better view.
Cilindrero (organ grinder) in the Centro Histórico (historic center). Mexico Cooks! has seen three or four of these late 19th Century delightful hand organs here in Morelia, plus another dozen or more in Mexico City. The guys who play the cilindros in Morelia are part of the Mexico City group.
Got a leak? Although this pickup is parked every day at a nearby busy corner, Mexico Cooks! has never seen the driver. Just call the number!
Young women who work distributing advertising, handing out free samples, or simply acting as living decor for any event are called edecanes. The word comes from the French aide-de-camp. The lovely Señorita Promo Tip's passed a free promotional newspaper through the window of my car.
During September's Fiestas Patrias (Independence Day celebrations), flag sellers rolled their colorful carts to hundreds of local intersections. Due to la crisis económica, sales of flags and other Independence Day souvenirs were very slow this year. Right now, few people have enough money for small luxuries like these.
Every visible surface of his body is painted silver and he juggles flaming batons on a 12-foot ladder while you wait for the light to change. Just before the green light, he passes through the lanes of traffic to collect a propina (tip) from those who care to give him one.
This young man is selling BonIce brand frozen fruit pops, not far from the street in Morelia where Mexico Cooks! lives.
Take home roses for your sweetie, 40 pesos the dozen--about $3.00USD, at the current exchange rate.
Mexico Cooks!' favorite Morelia payaso de semáforo (street clown)!
Looking for a tailored-to-your-interests specialized tour in Mexico? Click here: Tours.
I live in Oaxaca and YES you NEVER know what you are going to see in the streets!
We have an very old Aztec Dancer guy in full regalia who emerges at the stop light with drum and fife and bells jingling! Wish I had a driver other than myself and I could capture his pic.
Thanks I enjoyed your observations of the "STREETS of Mexico"!
Posted by: Sheri Brautigam | February 04, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
Posted by: Literature Review | January 18, 2010 at 01:06 AM
those are great street photos! love the bunny.
Posted by: linda lou | January 17, 2010 at 05:15 PM
This is a great compilation of the various types of "street work". I have not seen the bunny--will watch for it-- but have seen and love the rest.
Posted by: sheila velazco | January 17, 2010 at 12:30 AM