September 10, 2011
Today was market day. (Despite what it may seem like, my life does not revolve around market days. However, interesting, blog-worthy things always happen at the market. Hence the myriad of posts regarding the market.) For the first time, I actually bought all of the food myself. I’m not saying I got the best deals or the best quality fruits and vegetables, but I actually did it all myself!
The vendors definitely recognize me now. One lady, in fact, got mad at me today because I didn’t buy my pineapples from her. “Mrs. Carol always buys from me!” she said. “What didn’t you buy from me? I called your name!” The vendors are very skilled in making you feel badly if you brush them off. Truthfully, I didn’t mean to skip her produce; I just can’t remember all of the ladies’ faces. I told her that it was only my third time at the market and that it’s still very overwhelming for me. But, I will definitely try to remember her face next week.
Vendors definitely try to take advantage of me. Last week only one lady in the entire market had green peppers. She doubled the normal price for them last week. This week I saw her again—and she had once again doubled the price (making one green pepper cost what four should). Unfortunately, I gave in and bought a few peppers from her. Then as I kept walking, I found an abundance of green peppers. Oh well, you live and learn. In the long run, cheating a customer doesn’t work because once she figures it out, you’ll lose her business permanently.
Today I ventured into the fabric sections of the market. We went by at least ten different fabric shops. I ended up buying a fabric I saw in the very first shop. I love the design of it: a mixture of orange, brown, and light blue shapes interspersed with teal butterflies. I know; it sounds weird. I’ll see if I can post a picture of it so you can make the judgment call. I’ll probably end up taking the fabric to the tailor’s and having a skirt made. There’s mounds of material—6 yards total!
When we got into the car to head home, my friend told me she had an interesting conversation with her butcher. Right away I asked her how many cows she had sold me for. She could have gotten a great deal and been set with meat for the rest of her life! Thankfully, she didn’t sell me off. I’m glad she values me more than her food!
For lunch today, I tried the local couscous for the first time. I wish I could say I loved it. Unfortunately, it was a little too thick for me. I have a lot of trouble eating thick foods (think yogurt and pudding). The couscous had a similar consistency. I refuse to let my preferences stand in my way. I will definitely try couscous again when it’s offered. I’m sure I can learn to actually enjoy it!
One last comment for this post: I had my second driving lesson today. It went so much more smoothly! I’m finally grasping the concept of the clutch, and I had many, many smooth starts today. Next time, we’ll keep working on starting the car and hopefully we can get to shifting gears as well. I’m so thankful for a patient and understanding teacher!
Until next time! (Which hopefully will be sooner than this last post was.)
