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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Fresh Food Markets

Countries are listed in alphabetical order

For videos of these markets, scroll down below

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

 

FRANCE

Quiches, cold tatins at Boucherie Parisienne Debray in Paris, France

Boucherie Parisienne Debray Paris, France

The French have an artist's manner in the presentation of their foods, whether it is in a bakery, a cheese shop or even a butchery. This boucherie offers a range of prepared dishes, convenient for customers to take home and heat. Specializing in roasted poultry products like chicken, turkey, and duck, they also sell organ meats like tripe, liver, and kidneys. And - as you will see below - there are some seafood options as well. How in the world could a butchery be elegantly arranged? Let us show you!

cheeses at the Specialty Cheese Shop in the Latin Quarter next to Boucherie Parisienne Debray Paris, France

Specialty Cheese Shop Paris, France

Well-recognized and commercially significant cheeses in France number between 350 to 400 varieties. However, if you consider artisanal and local varieties, that number could balloon to anywhere from 1,000 to 1,600 distinct types of cheese produced in in this country. That's a lot of cheese choices! When we wandered through, we encountered cheeses we never knew existed! We were gobsmacked!

      

 

 

 

 

GUATEMALA

Green beans, beets and carrots Maya Day Market - Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

We have been living in the tropics now for decades. One of the things we like the most is the abundance we see at the food markets. Some markets are better than others with fresher fruits and more variety, and it's our opinion that Guatemala has some of the very best.

Maya women in hand woven skirts and embroidered huipiles. Sololá Indigenous Maya Market - Sololá Laguna Atitlan, Guatemala

Sololá lies along an ancient Maya trade route between the hot Pacific beach lands and the chilly mountain highlands of Guatemala. All the traders meet here in this Maya town for Friday's Market Day, one of the highland's best.

ITALY

Man selling olives at Miraglia, Naples, Italy Finding an Olive Store in Naples, Italy

Walking around Naples on this cold, rainy day, we hadn't expected to find a store selling olives. Barrel after bright red barrel, olives were curing and ready to be purchased. These little fruits are a big deal and are used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes for a punch of flavor. Come take a look.

Grilled eggplant, zucchini, soft cheese and olives in Gaeta, Italy Grocery Shopping in Gaeta, Italy

Billy is a trained French Chef. We owned a restaurant in the coastal town of Santa Cruz in California for a decade. Due to both of these things, one of our Geeky and lusty pleasures is to go grocery shopping. I know. You are impressed. But seriously, we are in Italy, and grocery shopping is a very different experience.

Panna Cotta with fresh fruit in Gaeta, Italy  

The Fabulous Pastries and Breads of Gaeta, Italy (Pronounced Guh-AY-tuh)

We have mentioned before how the pastries in Italy are beyond remarkable. Bakeries and bread shops are everywhere and the variety is spellbinding. Our first encounter with Italy's 8th wonder of the world was during our stay in Anzio, a small coastal town about an hour's drive from Rome. But now we are in another coastal town named Gaeta, and the game has just escalated.

 

Large variety of cured meats in a Salumeria, Anzio, Italy The Salumerias in Anzio, Italy

Salumerias in Italy are specialty food shops that focus on selling a variety of cured meats, cheeses, and other delicacies. Typically they are family-run businesses or small local establishments that have been passed down through generations. Each Salumeria has its own unique selection and ambiance, creating a personalized and authentic experience.

MEXICO

 

     The Black Market - Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

One of the features to see while visiting Ensenada, Mexico, is the Black Market. No one local seems to know why it is named such, and when I suggested that it might - at one time in history - been an "underground" market selling fish, they seemed to like that idea. But no one could collaborate.

 

 

 

 
Chickens on display, Puebla Market, Mexico The Great Market in Puebla, Mexico

All around the world, Billy and I love to visit the food markets. Whether it's Thailand, Vietnam, Guatemala, Europe or Mexico, these markets are the places where the locals purchase their food and sundries. Unlike the grocery stores in the US, foods and products are open-air. They are not Cryovac'd into a plastic package, sanitized or hidden from view. You will see life, in all its splendor and variety. Come. Take a look!

Baskets, bowls and wooden spoons Patzcuaro Market - Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico

Patzcuaro's fabulous day market sets up shop at the northwest corner of La Plaza Chica every day from about 9 am to 5 pm. Here you can find fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meats, as well as real herbal medicines and local arts and crafts. There are also plenty of places to eat tacos, licuados (smoothies), tortas (sandwiches) and corundas (pyramid-shaped tamales). Check it out here.

Fresh meats, handmade sausages and head cheese in Oaxaca's central market, Oaxaca, Mexico  

Oaxaca Central Market - Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca is one of our favorite Colonial Cities in Mexico to visit. It's lively, has wonderful architecture, a good restaurant selection, live music, ancient ruins and this amazing central market.

 

A contagious smile Comitan Market - Comitan De Dominguez, Mexico

We love native markets. Heck, we love grocery stores! Since we were in the restaurant business for so long, it must be our natural inclination. Billy and I are fascinated by food! Take a look at the colorful market in Comitan, Mexico.

A closer look Carne Asada - Oaxaca, Mexico

In Latin America, carne asada is specifically beef, usually skirt steak, otherwise known as flank steak or flap steak, grilled and served as slices. It is usually cooked with a certain amount of searing to impart a charred flavor. It's a popular dish and one that is found in most restaurants. However, in Oaxaca, Mexico, there is a special grilling area at the downtown market that focuses on meats cooked over an open flame. It was so good the first time we ate there years ago, that we decided to seek it out once again.

Lobster almost fills this bucket in Mazatlan, Mexico The Fish Market Mazatlan, Mexico

Visiting Mazatlan, Mexico is always a delight. One of the best things we love about being on the beach is the seafood! Take a look at this short pictorial of the fish market in Mazatlan, Mexico.

PANAMA

Jewelry, tapestries, belts, hats, bags and clothing all for sale The Tuesday Market Boquete, Panama

Ever since we arrived in Boquete, we had been hearing of the Gringo Market that meets just across the river on Tuesday mornings. It's the place to go to catch up on news, hear a guest speaker, get fresh local honey, handmade jewelry, boutique coffee beans, and to find out what the local volunteer organizations are up to.

THAILAND

Pattern is another hill tribe preference. Headdress varies and takes skill to wrap securely.

Chiang Dao Market - Thailand

A recent outing took us to Chiang Dao, deep into northern Thailand. This is the heart of hill tribe country and we visited a market frequented by these tribal people. Some native costumes we had never seen before, and their colorful dress made captivating photos.

 

VIDEOS

GUATEMALA

Inside the Day Market in Panajachel, Guatemala

Day Markets in Latin America are colorful and you can pretty much purchase anything you might want. Here, in Maya country, you can find the indigenous wearing their native traje, fresh meats, fruits, vegetables and more. Take a look!

Solola Market, the Sights and Sounds

 Never been to an authentic Maya market? Don't miss this video! See native Maya dress and hear Spanish and Kaqchikel spoken in this large Guatemala marketplace.

 

 

 

 

Italy

 

Inside a Salumeria in Mountain Town of Faeto, Italy

We are in a mountain town in the Puglia Region of Italy named Faeto. We meet the owner of a Salumeria named Prospero, who is a real character. We order some of the Prosciutto ham that Faeto is famous for. Prospero gives us a taste. WOW! To view this video on Rumble, click here

Buying Cheese at an Ancient Dairy in Lecce, Italy

Billy and I are in an ancient dairy in Lecce, Italy, purchasing some cheese to take back to our hotel room. Prices outside of the tourist zone are more affordable and residents of the city buy their foods at these locations. The cheeses in Italy are so good, one rarely makes a mistake when choosing. To view this video on Rumble, click here

Food Shopping at a Bread Store, Pastry Shop and Rosticceria in Lecce, Italy

Billy shows you a place where we have eaten several times while in Lecce. It’s outside the ancient walled city and into the modern area. This store sells a variety of breads, pastries, sandwiches, hot casserole dishes and pizzas. Food shopping in Italy is such a joy. To view this video on rumble, click here

Food Shopping in a Typical Italian Grocery Store

Billy takes you to a typical Italian Grocery store in Lecce, Italy. The selection is FABULOUS and all pricing is marked, so it’s easy to decide what you want. Take a ticket from the ticket machine and wait your turn. It’s all very civilized. This is a very serious job, and Italians are proud of the foods they create. To view this video on rumble, click here 

MEXICO

 

The Market in Manzanillo, Mexico

Billy takes you through the Fresh Market in Manzanillo. You'll find fruits and vegetables stacked perfectly, local cheeses, pet food, fresh meats, fish, seafood and chicken. Everything you could need! Check it out.

The Fresh Market in Queretaro, Mexico

Billy takes you through sections of the Fresh Market in the Colonial City of Queretaro, Mexico. You'll see red octopus, mounds of fresh fish and shellfish, and piles of pork and beef. Take a look!

Fabulous Day Market in Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico

Stroll through the day market in Patzcuaro, Mexico. CLEAN! This is the meat section with friendly vendors and Billy shows you up close the variety being offered. Beef, sausage, chicken, pork. Check it out!

 

For more photos and videos about Food around the World, click here

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About the Authors

 
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

 

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