San Francisco El Alto Shopping

On market day in San Francisco El Alto the livestock fair continues into the afternoon- long after trading has come to a halt elsewhere. Large crowds congregate and it is very interesting to watch how deals are negotiated.

What to buy: Pigs are a major wealth multiplier in the villages. The return on investment far exceeds most other economic activities for the small farmer who may not own any land at all- and the profits will allow two pigs... then three. It is very important to get the pig's head down on the ground so the jaw can be opened and the tongue pulled out- the buyer needs to know if the glands are swollen at the root of the tongue. A diseased animal will be confiscated without compensation by the authorities.

What to pay: This adds zest to the market. The cash earned by the married couple has not been easily earned. The worst fear is that the animal will not survive, reproduce or be sickly. A lot is riding on the selection and the sellers can be very shrewd indeed.