Shopping!

Last Saturday, I took a cab with some other ship crew member to the Big Market, a building downtown with multiple vendors. Now, when I say building I am over-exaggerating –it is a building yes, but I think it was condemned years ago for any kind of living or business. And when I say multiple I am grossly under-exaggerating. Once you enter the building you are never left alone nor do you cease to be (frankly) hounded by the vendors. It’s hot outside, hotter inside, and stifling when you are completely surrounded, almost skin-to-skin by people who are practically begging you to buy something, anything from them. I am completely sympathetic, really, as these people have nothing else, but I can’t buy an item from each and every one of them. Many of them have nice or interesting stuff, but stuff I have no use for regardless. It’s hard to say no and you must walk away. The shame is also that there are items that I really want to look at, but just glancing at an item invites hounding, not only from that vendor, but from the others around them. The group I went with was specifically there to buy drums. I was not interested in drums but wanted to go to the market. I was not particularly interested in the dresses most of them wear either; they tend to be shapeless and bulky and I don’t know where I would ever wear one. BUT, the first vendor I saw had dresses that were really different, shapely and pretty. It’s shaped at the waist, the arms are open just below the shoulder, and then the material is attached again at the bottom of the large sleeve. I didn’t buy from her because, her shop being the very first one I saw, I wanted to look around more. I ended up wanting one of the drums for Ryan and an adorable little Africa 2-piece set for my grandbaby (I know, he’s not born yet – back off), a hand-made doll for my mom (I’m not worried because I know she will never read this blog) and then getting out of the building before I completely hyperventilated or passed out from claustrophobia. On my way out, I promised the first girl I would come back. She gave me that look; you know the one I mean.

I went into town twice on my next “weekend” and not very successful until the very end. Wednesday, I went wandering around the town. Please understand, this place doesn’t have stores like you and I know “stores”. They are all on the street or IN the street, and so are the cars and motorcycles and huge push-carts waiting to take out an elbow or ankle left unaware. After 4 hours of walking, I never found a bank that would take my MC (only VISA) except for one, and they said that my bank denied the request. I know I had money so they either screwed up or my bank does not believe that I’m in Africa… Today, with money I got from the ship bank (and hidden in chunks all over my body), I headed out again today. Guess what: there’s some holiday today and very few people are selling. Oh, they’re still in and on the streets, just not selling anything. I made my way back to the Big Market (getting a little lost along the way) even though several people on the street told me it would be closed too. At least I had my good walking shoes. I found the Big Market. I lied – the nice policeman walked me the last 3 blocks to it – and it was open! You should have seen the look on the first gal’s face when I showed up. I bought that dress and another one from her.

I bought a couple of batik prints from 2 different vendors, just trying to escape them really, and then headed back to the drum section. The drum guy remembered me but had sold the one with the colors I wanted. I was bummed but I bought a different one and a drum case for it that’s a handy backpack.

On my way to the drums, I ran into a gal from the ship, Carol (not the Carol from the galley) who had arrived in a ship SUV and said she would take me back. I got out safely but promised another lady I would came back again. Why do I always do that? I got a ride home out of it too. The guy who sold me the drum gave me a pair of earrings that matched one of the dresses I bought from the other gal. I figured he knew he was fleecing me to some degree so he offered and I accepted!

As soon as I got back to the ship with the dresses, one of my roommates, Janelle, wanted to know about going into town to the street vendors and asked if I’d gone, how and with whom. I told her that I was alone and I just started walking (2 days in a row now). She and I both have next Monday off work, so that’s what I’ll do – take her to the streets that have the most to offer! I’ll finally take my camera to town too. You have to be careful, because some Sierra Leoneans don’t like that. At some point I want to get a taxi ride on one of the motorcycles. Everyone says you’re taking your life into your hands but, hey, when will I ever get a crazy MC taxi ride in a crazy African town, huh?

Was told today that the stuffed bell peppers have to be put on hold for a bit; I’ll get back to them. I promise