BELEN MARKET
MAKING SENSE
The Belén market, being the first thing we see, sets the scene for the rest of the experience. The smell of poultry, spices, and onions fills our noses as we walk through the crowded streets of the market. Vibrant colors of blue, orange, and yellow overflow each vendor, and sounds of laughter, yelling, and music make us feel energized.
SO MANY THOUGHTS & FEELINGS
All your feelings are rushing through you, whether it is awe, confusion, or even a bit of sickness, you start to develop a deeper understanding of Iquitos and the people who inhabit it. It was incredible to see how the jungle provides, whether it was the fruits or plants used for medicine, they use nature in every way possible. The market is so different from life in the US but the difference is what makes it so beautiful. The Belén market teaches you to find beauty in “unbeautiful” things.
A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE
Walking down through the vendors, we start to compare our typical grocery store to the market. We notice how each family works hard every morning to sell their product, and selling is really a familial effort. Seeing the street filled with hundreds of chickens ready to be slaughtered is disheartening, but it was vital to see how the Peruvians get their meals daily.
by PRESLEY KRYWKO