My first experience in the city market alone was when I was 14years old. My city market is called Itam market and it is the largest market in Itu Local government area, close to the City of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
It is made if up different traders coming together in that location to sell their goods which may include fabrics, food (raw and cooked foods), fruits, sewing materials, building materials, etcetera.
Picture taken with an andriod phone.
On that particular day, I was sent by my mom to buy food stuff. After a failed attempt at convincing my mom that it wasn't a good idea sending me there alone, my journey began.
The market in my city isn't exactly your usual type of market, though a typical African market, because stalls are not sectionally arranged. The advantage of this is that you can get everything you need at a spot.
As I reached the market, traders began to call me and touch me to draw my attention to their goods. They called me names like: 'baby girl, angel, and my colour', it was really frustrating, as I kept pushing their hands away from my body.
My first destination was towards a pumpkin vegetable seller. My mom requested for fresh, pumpkin leaves and I made sure to ask her if they are fresh. She told me the pumpkin vegetables where sweet. (Pumpkin vegetables, sweet?? Hmmm may be I have different taste buds🤨).
I bought the vegetables from her and other ingredients I needed which she had available in her stall.
My next destination was to purchase meat (particularly beef). I was told they are usually sold at a separate part of the market. This is because most people who sell meat, only sell meat.
I told the butcher I wanted a thousand naira worth of meat. The meat he cut was significantly less than what u bargained for. I told him I wasn't going to take the meat. He realized I wasn't so little to be cheated and added more meat for me.
As I was about exiting the market, a little girl baptized my legs with muddy water. I couldn't get angry because she looked very beautiful and innocent. I bought sachet water and rinsed the mud from my legs.
As I continued walking out of the market, a wheel barrow pusher screamed: 'small girl clear for road', funny enough he was till far away from me (wheel barrow pushers get paid for carrying heavy goods for traders within the market).
From my experience I came to the conclusion that the best time to enjoy the market is during the dry season( harmattan season) unlike the wet season where everywhere is usually very muddy and secondly, wheel barrow pushers are the most impatient people in Itam Market 😒😒😒.