The Addis Mercado is reported to be the largest open air marketplace in Africa. A prime spot for a firsthand Addis experience. A sprawling bustle of activity, smells, noise and shops. Much more than a destination for tourist trinkets, this place has everything... food, mops, clothes, plumbing, you name it. Most of which we did not need to see.
While taking in the experience was the main attraction. We also had a few destinations in mind. We ask our taxi driver where the spices are sold. He dutifully warns us of dangerous elements lurking in the market. It's best not to wander unescorted. Thanking him for the tip, at the same time we felt fine traveling in two's with few valuables.
Soon, his "friend" appears telling us of the dangers of the marketplace. We should be escorted to points of interest. So our self-appointed "guide" helped us navigate. Somehow it felt like the more likely danger is the marketplace guide scam. In the end, we never would have found the spices, green coffee or requisite trinkets.
The Addis Mercado is reported to be the largest open air marketplace in Africa. A prime spot for a firsthand Addis experience. A sprawling bustle of activity, smells, noise and shops. Much more than a destination for tourist trinkets, this place has everything... food, mops, clothes, plumbing, you name it. Most of which we did not need to see.
While taking in the experience was the main attraction. We also had a few destinations in mind. We ask our taxi driver where the spices are sold. He dutifully warns us of dangerous elements lurking in the market. It's best not to wander unescorted. Thanking him for the tip, at the same time we felt fine traveling in two's with few valuables.
Soon, his "friend" appears telling us of the dangers of the marketplace. We should be escorted to points of interest. So our self-appointed "guide" helped us navigate. Somehow it felt like the more likely danger is the marketplace guide scam. In the end, we never would have found the spices, green coffee or requisite trinkets.
Any good spices you found there?
ReplyDeleteBerberre is their favorite. Generally, it's the biggest bag around, though I do not have a picture here. It's a pepper with a bit of heat and an intriguing flavor. They put it in everything.
ReplyDeleteWhat you see in the second picture is black sesame, cassia bark (cinnamon), lentils, and dried peas. I was told the big pods were cardamom. When I pointed to what I knew as cardamom, the merchant looked confused, which of course confused me. I'm not sure whether they have several kinds of cardamom (I thought there was a black and a green), or if it's that African relativity thing again (see Time posting).