Market Madness

Tamale's huge open market consists of a labyrinth of multitudinous stalls containing various items of food, household products, clothing, cosmetics, toys, etc., etc. The narrow passageways have a partially enclosed wood covering above and a cement-like strip on the ground with a rut down the center to catch any water. People passing one another in opposite directions can pose quite a challenge. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to where particular goods are located; vegetables are next to handbags, meats are alongside hair accessories. Jim loves it! He thoroughly enjoys bargaining for a good price of a pineapple or hunting for a box of tinfoil. On a recent attempt to stock up on supplies, we could barely carry the shopping bags and maneuver the aisles at the same time. A young girl of about 12 or 13 came to the rescue with her large, round basin-like bowl, piled all the items inside and carried everything on her head until we were finished shopping.