Market Day

I'm pooped.  I just walked 30 minutes to the market and 30 minutes back with two HEAVY bags of groceries!  I was dreading having to go today--not because of the walk though.  I was apprehensive to go alone as the market is soooo very overwhelming.  I feel like a little ant on a picnic blanket full of food and surrounded by tons of people.  I never really know which direction to go in or what to buy next.  It seems like it would be a no-brainer right?? Wrong, going to the market isn't quite as easy as going to the grocery store.  You have to bargain for EVERYTHING to avoid being ripped off and you have to check EVERYTHING to make sure it isn't rotten or no longer edible.  Back in America, I was the worse at picking out good fresh fruits and veggies so here is another reason why I feel so helpless in the market.  How in the heck do I know when something is ripe??! 

When I left for the market, I think the kids had just gotten out of school (yep, on a Saturday).  As I was walking along, a couple kids came to join me (or follow me), and then two more...then four more...and before even 10 minutes could go by, there were about 15 little kids walking with me to the market; and I certainly didn't mind.  I always feel safer when I'm walking smack dab in the middle of a sea of young, friendly faces.  When I arrived at the market, the little kids kept walking down the road to their homes and then the stress came back.  I told myself get it together girl, the market isn't that bad.  I started walking toward the tomatoes to make my first purchase and before I made it there, I heard, "Keza!"  When I looked to my left, I saw an angel (thank God).  Yet another person the Lord sent down right on time.  It was one of the students from my village.  I walked over to speak to him and once we were finished greeting one another, instead of saying bye, he asked me what all was on my shopping list.  I thought, Yess!! I don't have to do this alone!  I went through my list with him and he guided me around the market and helped me pick out good, ripe fruits and veggies (yes I know, I should know how to pick out good food better than an 18 year old boy, but what can I say...back in America, I'm a frozen veggies kind of girl!)

Once we got everything on the list, I thanked my angel and began my 30 minute journey back home. Market day turned out to be a good day (:

Love and Peace Corps,

Dametreea