MARKET DAY EXPERIENCE
It was a typical Friday morning, and as luck would have it, it was also market day. I had a few things to pick up from the bustling market, but I was already dreading the inevitable traffic jam that comes with it.
Tricycle riders, who are usually my go-to for navigating the area, tend to avoid the market like the plague just to avoid getting stuck in the notorious holdup.
I decided to leave the house early, thinking that I would beat the rush and avoid the frustrating gridlock. But to my disappointment, I soon found myself caught up in the traffic snarl. It wasn't too bad at first, since it was still early in the day.
But as time went on, the roads became more and more clogged with cars and people, making my journey feel like an endless marathon.
One of the places I dislike going is the market and it's due to the crowd of people with different aims and objectives. There are three to four categories of people who go to the market.
Those who went to buy
Those who go to sell
Those who went to speculate and return home
Those who went to thief. These last category is the bad wagons who make lots of market women to cry on every market day.
Despite the frustrating situation, I tried my best to keep my spirits up. I gazed out of the window at the vibrant market stalls, their colorful displays tempting me with their wares. I watched as people hurried about their business, some with a sense of purpose, others with a more leisurely stride.
The sounds of the market filled my ears, a chaotic symphony of shouting vendors, honking horns, and chattering crowds.
As I sat in my vehicle, inching forward ever so slowly, I couldn't help but think about the bustling energy of the market.
It was a hub of activity, a place where people from all walks of life came together to buy and sell goods, exchange stories, and share in the communal experience of shopping.
Despite the holdup, I was glad to be a part of it all. There was something exhilarating about being surrounded by so much life and energy, even if it meant enduring a frustrating traffic jam.
As the minutes ticked by and the holdup slowly began to clear, I knew that my trip to the market would be worth it in the end.
As I finally arrived at the market, I couldn't help but notice how sparse it looked at first. Most of the business people hadn't opened their shops yet, and there were only a few stores that were open for business. But I knew that this wouldn't last for long.
Within an hour, the whole market street was bustling with activity. People of all ages were out and about, buying and selling their wares, and the air was thick with the sound of haggling and chatter.
I made my way through the crowds, eager to get to the stores where I needed to stock up on essentials for my home.
As I walked along, I couldn't help but notice some of the sights around me. There were little teens who were clearly sent by their parents to sell goods at the market. Instead of focusing on their sales, they were busy chatting with their friends, their schoolwork clearly not a priority.
I also saw some vendors who couldn't afford a shop, pushing their wheelbarrows around and trying to sell their products to anyone who would listen. Their determination and resilience were inspiring, despite the odds stacked against them.
But what really surprised me was when I stumbled upon an onion seller who had a Point of Sale (POS) machine. I had never seen anything like it before at a local market. It was a testament to the ever-evolving nature of technology and how it is transforming even the most traditional of industries.
As I made my way through the market, I couldn't help but be in awe of the vibrant energy and tenacity of the people around me. Despite the challenges they face, they continue to persevere and find ways to succeed. It was a reminder that no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always hope and the potential for growth and progress.
As I continued to explore the market, I was happy to see that there was now more cash in circulation, which meant that people had more spending power. However, I couldn't help but notice that most banks had a withdrawal limit on their ATM machines.
Each ATM card was only able to withdraw #40,000 daily and transfer #300,000. Despite this, there seemed to be more ease on the people, and I was grateful for that.
After I had purchased everything I needed, I stumbled upon a carrot and cherry seller (Agbalumo) which is the popular local name for the fruit. Only God knows where that name originated from or who first called it that name. I couldn't resist stopping to buy some to snack on at home.
As I made my way out of the market, I noticed that the tricycle riders were especially happy on market days. This was because the transportation fees were not as high as they usually were on other days. It took me some time before I was able to flag one down to take me home.
When I finally arrived home, I was grateful for the journey mercies and I said a prayer over my purchases before separating them and consuming the ones I needed to eat raw. As someone who loves to cook, I was excited to start experimenting with the fresh produce I had bought.
I couldn't wait to try out some new recipes and make something delicious for myself and my loved ones.
In the next few days, I will be sharing more about how I cook with the items I bought from the market. I believe that sharing recipes is a great way to bring people together and to celebrate the beauty and diversity of our local cuisines.
I hope that you'll join me on this journey and that we can learn and grow together as we explore the wonderful world of cooking.
Ps: You can find same post on my blurt page here My market experience