Merchant Scoops Cardamom Pods in Coro Market

Stark fluorescent tubes cast flat, cool light across a crowded market aisle in Coro. A merchant stands beside a wet fish counter, hands buried in a coarse burlap sack filled with green cardamom pods. The dry season air carries visible wisps of steam and cooking smoke that drift horizontally through the space. The fish counter glistens with moisture and ice shards, against the dry, dusty texture of the spice sack. Overhead framing reveals the merchant's focused posture and the scattered arrangement of goods on the counter. One pod rests on the edge of a metal scale, catching the harsh glare.