While shopping is considered a popular niche market
for travellers, a sub-set of this niche includes the
markets themselves. The sights, smells, colours,
chatter, activity, excitement and energy-charged
atmosphere lure locals and tourists alike, whether it’s a
fruit and vegetable market in Kuala Lumpur, a fish
market in Shimonoseki, textiles in Jaipur, a flea market
in Xian, antiques in Dublin, magical potions in
Johannesburg or an entire town market, such as Pisac.
The market’s the thing. I have re-arranged complete
travel plans just to ensure that I would be in
Chichicastenango (Guatemala) on a Sunday morning
or Villa de Leyva (Colombia) on a Saturday morning.
Bravery has nothing to do with it. Curiosity, discovery
and a love for photography, mixed with the repartee,
arguments and banter over bargaining and negotiating
prices, takes precedence over scare tactics. Travel
agents who are aware of markets in the cities where
their clients will travel, would do well to jot down the
details and then keep them handy as suggestions for
free time on package tour schedules or as activities to
include on FIT and DIY travels. And like everything
else in travel, the agent’s personal experience at the
market allows them to comment, first hand, on what
are some of the great buys (or what not to buy), or
some tips on visiting the market (e.g. ideal times to
visit, whether bargaining is expected, etc). For those
who are a bit skittish about taking on the market themselves, there are tour guides that can be hired (or
friendly taxi drivers to escort individuals). But most people don’t get robbed or intimidated unless they
are outwardly insensitive to their whereabouts.
Scenes in the Mercado Bazurto in Cartagena