Joyce, our language helper started classes at the School of Business and Finance this week. When we met we knew she would have classes in the morning but would be free to help us in the afternoons. On Wed. she came to us and was distraught because the minister of education had announced that all students attending the college with government sponsorship (Joyce is one of those)would have to take their regular classes in the mornings and language classes in the afternoon! French speaking students would take English classes and English speaking students would take French. That means that she now attends classes from 8 – 5 every day and is unable to work with us. She is free on Friday mornings so she will come in then but that is not enough time for what we want to do so we will have to find another language helper. We are sad because we have developed a rapport with her and she is very sweet. She came this morning and walked with me to the market to buy fruits and veggies and to help with language. She was pleased that I was able talk to some folks, at least enough to say “I want tomatoes. Thank you!”
The market is about a 20 minute walk from our house to get there and 30 minutes getting back (it's uphill coming home!). It is an open air market although there is a roof covering most of it because it does rain a lot here. The sellers each have little spaces that I'm sure they rent. They are organized by what they are selling so if you want potatoes, you can find several vendors all in one place. Of course, some vendors sell more than one item so they aren't exactly in order.
You can find just about any fruit or vegetable there that you want - except lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower. You can also find fruits and vegetables that you probably DON'T want! You can also buy flour, sugar, shortening, etc. Oh, need a new backpack for you child's school books? You can get one at market. Need a new dress? Go to market, pick out your cloth from hundreds of varieties, and work out with one of many tailors there who will make a dress to order! I have been to the market twice (I usually send Mama Fifi) but because of the crowdedness and the commotion that is caused by my being there (not too many white faces at this market!), I have not spent much time just looking around and taking it all in. Hopefully, I will be able to go more often so they get used to me being there and I will be able to use it as an opportunity to meet people and practice language. Sorry, I will not be taking a camera to market. If you want to see it, you have to come with me!
The market is about a 20 minute walk from our house to get there and 30 minutes getting back (it's uphill coming home!). It is an open air market although there is a roof covering most of it because it does rain a lot here. The sellers each have little spaces that I'm sure they rent. They are organized by what they are selling so if you want potatoes, you can find several vendors all in one place. Of course, some vendors sell more than one item so they aren't exactly in order.
You can find just about any fruit or vegetable there that you want - except lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower. You can also find fruits and vegetables that you probably DON'T want! You can also buy flour, sugar, shortening, etc. Oh, need a new backpack for you child's school books? You can get one at market. Need a new dress? Go to market, pick out your cloth from hundreds of varieties, and work out with one of many tailors there who will make a dress to order! I have been to the market twice (I usually send Mama Fifi) but because of the crowdedness and the commotion that is caused by my being there (not too many white faces at this market!), I have not spent much time just looking around and taking it all in. Hopefully, I will be able to go more often so they get used to me being there and I will be able to use it as an opportunity to meet people and practice language. Sorry, I will not be taking a camera to market. If you want to see it, you have to come with me!
