Tienda Choris

In a swath of street flowering with cool new bishop arts hang outs, Kessler and Nova, some of the more «homestyle» businesses of taquerias and botanicas firmly anchor the recent history of these rich streets. This place is one of them.
Pottery, glass pipes in the shape of an octopus or mounted on the sculpture of a gun, rosaries and soda pop for sale are surrounded by children playing pool, kids playing casino type games and perhaps the owners cousin reading a book and eating rice and beans by the back deli case, are all situated in this mega Latin convenient store.
I’d argue that you might find a unique fun gift here. I was browsing at the rosaries.
«how much?» I asked.
«la muerte?» the lady identified the rosary.
«$ 15»
She read the expression on my face as I identified the figure on the brightly colored rosary with his cloak and sythe. I call it the grim reaper.
«can you tell me about it?»
She smiled and urged soothingly, «it’s not bad. It’s a Saint you can pray to.»
A culture that easily embraces death as a part if life piques my interest, but I decided for now, I wasn’t gonna wear it around my neck.