Come back juice!

So tonight we got our first experience going to the Market. It is this street market that was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Streets upon street are just filled with these stalls selling some cool looking things like these mother of pearl boxes, hookahs, scarves, and long flowing blouses, as well as big granny panties, hoochy looking attire, and gross looking food.

The streets were filthy. I was wearing flip flops so my feet were god awful when we got back. I witnessed a man empty his trash can onto the street so you can only imagine how gross they were. I saw a bajillion stray cats. They were so cute some were just kittens. They’d be pawing through trash and walking right through the stores.The men would try talking to you but never touched you which was comforting. I got called juice which cracked me up. Some guy was kept saying, “Juice” and then after we had passed he was like, “Come back juice!” Another young boy pointed to the ground and said, “Ticket.” Me, falling for it, thought maybe I dropped something and looked only to see nothing and fall for his little ploy. He then finished his statement with “….to my heart!” Hilarious! I actually heard that one a couple more times with the occasional receipt instead of ticket.

The group that went ended up getting split up a little so I was with Adrienne, Charlotte, Pia, Dora, and Smac for most of the time. Numerous guys thought they were very original and would make comments to Smac. They would count us as we walked by and say how lucky he was to have 5 wives!

I didn’t purchase anything but I’ll get other opportunities to go back I’m sure. For my first visit I was just too overwhelmed and not quite ready to tackle the bartering process. I was too busy just taking everything in. I learned that you should start first by offering them half as much. I’ll report back later on how good I am at it. Adrienne and I were eyeing these mother of pearl boxes. Once you look it is over. A man came up and was persistently bartering with us and we were even saying anything. He started at 150 pounds and went all the way down to 110 without us even saying anything. I want to try to get one for 60 pounds when I am rested and ready to tackle the mission.

There were quite a few women out at the market but still more men. Some women have scarves that allow you to see there whole face while others only have a slit to see out of. I’m not too sure what the difference. I also wonder at what age they have to start wearing them because young girls weren’t wearing them.

Here is a kid carrying a bunch of bread on his head. I need to learn how to use my head better!

The drive there showed me just how crazy it is driving around here. They have lines drawn on the streets which seem to be painted with invisible paint because no one pays attention to them. They straddle the line and there is usually an extra lane of traffic. They cut through traffic so close each time I thought they were going to side swipe the other car. They beep a lot but all their horns sound like the one in Little Miss Sunshine so they aren’t quite as loud and obnoxious. I could never drive here! Although it sounds so crazy I felt like our driver knew exactly what he was doing so I didn’t feel unsafe in the van.

After a full day here it has already been such a different experience!