Sunday at the Market

 Sunday Market: Rain or Shine, Buy or Sell

Today is my seventh Sunday here in Magude and for me there are no questions on what to do like the other days.  I am going to do what everybody else does; I’m taking my shopping bag and going to the market.

It is so important for me to integrate into this community; it will not complete anything to be a visitor. This is one of the ways to become a neighbor. This people are genuinely friendly and many know my name – it thrills me to have people come up to me and ask how I am.  They actually stop and wait for a reply and then thank me for asking them the same. Unlike our cultural you really wait for a answer, and nobody seems to be in a hurry (can you 

This continues to amaze me!

imagine!).

I often am deep in thought about something that needs to be done and how I am going to go about it.  I’ve had to make a very conscientious effort to delay that habit till I am alone, not easy, it is such a habit. The market and walking to the hospital is when I practice.

This market is in the middle of the village on a huge lot, rights next to the railroad built over 50 years ago under Portuguese rule.  

The lot is vacant during the week, just used by walkers to cut directly to the next neighborhood, but on Sunday from sunrise to sunset it is the shopping center and social spot of my villa and the surrounding villages.

The staple items for everyday living are sold here …

These basins are used for grinding food material.

 Clothes quality, second hand  that are donated from outside organizations, like Salvation Army.

 Cleaning supplies - matches, and mayonnaise. Yeah Toilet paper! (It is not 100% common, water can be used, or leaves).

The traditional healer’s potions…

And the social aspect of going to the market; curiosity and smiles!

 

But of course, purchased the most… FOOD. 

Potatoes and onions staple.

NOODLES!

Peanuts, used in food like we use black pepper/

I also introduced garlic bread and a vegetable omelet to the delight of dinner guests. 

For about a week now, I have a gas stove and a refrigerator, so I’m feeling more settled in. Peanut butter and I have rekindled a bond for the first four weeks! 

She gave me all of her sweet potatoes!

The items do not vary as they do in the States, and neither does the cuisine.  So far I have eaten in three homes and the daily plates have not varied much at all. Diversity has not yet been franchise here in this southern Provence; seems that the items that are harvested are also used for one specific dish. One example that has made me giggle is the staple food of xima. Xima is a boiled corn meal; it resembles smooth, dense, grits or mashed potatoes, yet it has no taste. I had to improvise to be able to eat it by adding sugar and margarine (it reminded me of Farina) much to the amazement of my hostess.  Her face was like if someone at home put mustard on a slice of pizza! 

As soon as I create some Mozambican / Italian / American dishes I will share my recipes.

 Honestly, since I'm discussing food:  I would fly home for a weekend just to eat my mom's lasagna or make chili for my kids! Oh and I have caught myself glued- staring at facebook pictures of a dish that someone made for dinner! I can’t even thing about ice-cream, it makes me whine.  XO

Ps.  On the bright side with the walking and eating healthier I have lost 20 lbs and feel better.