Undercover Market

One of my favourite parts of the week is going into town to do my shopping. I have always done my main shopping at the central market in the middle of town. The central market is a place bustling with activity, vegetable sellers line the streets and shove fresh capsicums and carrots under your nose while young children try to interest you in wilted bunches of coriander.

This week, however, was different. As I skirted around the fringes of the market I didn’t see any of the usual sellers lining the street – the place was decidedly quiet and deserted. I entered into the main hall to head to the butcher and as he hacked at large carcasses hanging beside him I enquired about what had transpired outside.

He told me that the people lining the road had been kicked out by the government for being illegal sellers and were now set up in another part of town. At the same moment a Mama sidled up to me and asked quietly if I wanted some tomatoes. I did in fact so she opened a bag by her side and, furtively glancing around emptied the lot into my bag before scurrying off. Then another came up, hands empty and asked me if I required carrots today – she then disappeared and shortly came back with a bag at her side, quickly doing the exchange and cautiously handed me my change before walking off quickly.

I had to chuckle to myself as I finished up my shopping in the ‘legal’ part of the market . Who would have thought that vegetables would ever need to be sold on the sly?