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Custom Jesus service
(Mexico: Mexico City)

January 2004
Mexico: Mexico City: Custom Jesus service

The Baby Jesus Market (about 10 minutes' walk northeast from the Pino Suarez metro station) was one of the weirdest things I've ever seen.

A covered market spanning a city block, plus several adjacent blocks full of related shops, it's entirely dedicated to the sale, customization, and accessorization of Jesus dolls in all sizes. The guy shown here will paint them to match any skin tone you ask for (no, He's not anatomically correct; the diaper is molded on). In the next stall you can get all sorts of little outfits for him, including a stylish range of thorny crowns. A few stalls down they're selling nothing but thrones. This is a country that takes its manger scenes very seriously.


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