(Kshmr, Markink) – Mapusa Friday Bazaar
I was visiting Goa out of season, early September. Most of the shops were yet to reopen, the beach bars had yet to receive their licences and the tourist markets – I was told – weren’t happening.
So, I asked a taxi driver (AJ) outside my hotel (Santiago ‘Beach’ Resort) to take me to the Friday market in Mapusa – pronounced ‘Mapsa’.
It was a twenty minute or so drive, and when we arrived, around ten thirty, he was unable to park so we agreed to meet up in an hour.
I figured an hour would do it.
Where to start about the Mapusa Bazaar?
Firstly it’s pretty darned large, verging on the huge, but well laid out in a grid.
I first encountered dozens of stall holders selling clothes, then fruit and veg, then spices, herbs, plants, bangles, then hardware – knives, pots, ropes and the occasional tech stall offering SIM cards.
Parking at Mapusa Bazaar
Genuine Fake backpacks?
Herbs at Mapusa Bazaar
Flower Garlands at Mapusa Bazaar
Fresh Herbs at Mapusa Bazaar
Fresh Fruit at Mapusa Bazaar
Hardware (including the flatbread pan, middle left) at Mapusa Bazaar
Ropes at Mapusa Bazaar
Pots at Mapusa Bazaar
Flowers at Mapusa Bazaar
Flowers at Mapusa Bazaar
Bangles at Mapusa Bazaar
There are a number of permanent shops that help define the grid layout.
Secondly – you’d forgotten I was in list mode, so had I – I was the only Caucasian face I saw all morning, but at no time did I feel intimidated or threatened. I even haggled and bought a chapati pan to make my own flatbreads – down from 190 Rupees to 150 – a little under two quid.
Thirdly, it’s an assault on all the senses, sights, sounds, smells, flavours – I was offered some fresh cinnamon that tasted like Dentyne chewing gum, I’d quite forgotten.
Finally, unless you’re married (as I once was) to the Captain of the Olympic Shopping Team, then an hour or so is enough to experience everything.
A great Friday morning out – highly recommended.