While in Africa, we went to several different markets and stores, all of which gave me different experiences. One of the first shopping experiences we had was at a large outlet mall type of place. We went to the ATM to get some cash for the smaller markets we were told we would be going to. We had some extra time so we walked around these stores that were exactly what you would see in any American mall; buildings with doors and locks and cash registers with money. None of us bought anything at these places because they had "normal" things such as suits and ties, house decor, sport equipment, etc. (Unfortunately none of us got pictures of the more Americanized places.)
We then all piled in the van to go just down the street to our first market experience. We pulled up onto a grass lot surrounded by shacks. Keep in mind, this place was literally just down the street from the mall.
Yes, people do sell their items in these shacks. Right when all of us got out of the van, tons of people came out of their shacks and started calling us over, wanting us to go into their store. We separated into groups to go look at all the different things for sale. My group left me for dead real quick (jerks). I still love them but once you got sucked in, you were in. The first place I visited was the older lady pictured below. The things she said to me were along the lines of "I'll give you the best prices. Please cici (sister), my family is hungry." They would just say those things over and over while you were looking at all of their trinkets. When you finally decided on something, which was usually just one item because you want to support all the hundreds of other people there, they would try to sell more to you. They were all very nice but it was hard not to buy their entire store.
Most of us got tired of that market really fast and just hung around the van until everyone was ready to go. When we got back in the van, no one said a word for what seemed like forever. Finally we started talking about how awful it was that these people live day to day selling their hand made items in their shacks. One student with us said she got out her granola bar to eat and they man in the store asked if he could have it. They depend on tourists to buy souvenirs. We were the only tourists in sight, so I don't think they get much business. It was hard to handle especially since we had just come from the NCP orphanage that morning. It was by far the most emotional day for all of us. Tears were shed but there was not much we could do.
The next day, we went to a grocery store, two other markets and bought some guava off the side of the road.
There were two boys on the side of the freeway selling buckets of guava. They were SO CUTE. Needless to say, we bought all the guavas they had, and our van smelled so bad for the rest of the trip. So if you ever find yourself in Africa buying guava off the side of the road, either eat it right away or drive away and dump it somewhere. I seriously almost threw up several times from the stench, not gonna lie.
Next, we went to the Manzini Market, my personal favorite. There were TONS of vendors and they didn't beg at all. They were more stingy on us taking their pictures though. I bought a lot from this market including one of the ceramic bowls pictured, soap stone figurines, key chains and bracelets. The young woman pictured, left an impression on me. I took her picture after buying something from her and showed her and she said "oh that's beautiful!" I was expecting her to say she was ugly or gross or something like Americans always do, but instead she thought she was beautiful. I will always admire this about Swazis. Another woman was selling tomatoes and was such a good sport about modeling for us. Haha! There was one young man who was trying to convince me and Braydon to take him back to the states. It was so funny because he was so serious. We wish we could have!
The next market was a little different than Manzini. For the most part, they were friendly and didn't beg. Most vendors set up on the ground on a tarp or chairs.
The remaining pictures are at a local grocery store, which is pretty much the same as America but harder to find things and different brands. The last picture was on our second day (first full day) and there were soap stone carvers set up on the side of the road. We pulled over and all bought some soap stone figurines.
