Maroua Markets
on The Road Less Travelled (Cameroon), 10/Nov/2009 08:52, 34 days ago
I have began exploring the markets here and have found a lot of vegetables that I have not done a lot of cooking with. If any of you have recipes which are simple and don’t require an oven then I would love to hear them Things I can find in the market:Dairy: Eggs, Powdered Milk (it is actually ok), yogurt which I have not tried yet because random guys sell it out of coolers and scoop it into baggies, not a lot of cheese (the imported stuff is really $$$),Vegetables : Plantains, Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Zucchini, Onions, Peppers, TomatoesOthers : Rice, some spices (spicy chilis, pepper, salt)I can find some other things too but the things I have listed are in abundance and cheap.This week I am training with the VSO office here. Today we learned about the culture in this area of Cameroon. It is interesting that it is so multi-religious, they have missionaries, muslims and traditional African religions. I also learned that I should never invite a man into my house if I am alone and close the door and my neighbours will think I am promiscuous. I should always have the front door open or talk outside.Soon I will learn more about the work I will be doing. I found out that the partner organization I am working with has not had funding for a while so I will probably have to really help them develop some grant proposals and requests. It should be interesting.I have attached a few pictures of Maroua Market areas. The first one is of the road from the mission on the way to the market. I took these pictures around 730am so there is not much traffic or pedestrians yet and the air is not really smoky yet. If I wait until the afternoon to take pictures you won’t see anything because of the dust and smoke.The second picture is of the tariff circle at one end of the market. I am standing at the end of the market so this picture is showing you one of the roads of Maroua. They are all lined by tress which is nice for shade but keeps the smoky air from dissipating.The third picture is of the road at the side of the market where you can find small supermarket shops which sell things like cereals, toiletries, and canned goods. On the right hand side is the edge of the covered market.The fourth picture is of the covered market. During the day starting at about 9am this will be really busy with people selling and buying all sorts of things– paper, household items, foods etc. There is an uncovered market further along and across the road which sells fresh foods – vegetables, meats and fruits.The fifth picture is at another end of the market. It is called Artisanat and this is where you can buy handicrafts at the market.The last picture is some shops. LAKing is a shop which sells fabric and so one day I will go there to buy fabric to have some dresses made.