Anjuna market is a MUST for anyone who visits Goa.
Held every Wednesday it has grown over the years and now covers an area that is split into 'departments' like the Bazaars of Morocco.
Tibetan art and jewellery litter the floor under trailing canopies. Each piece set out and positioned for the greatest effect.
With grid like profession Lisa guides us through the various areas as people called for us to stop and look.
“Looking is Free!”,
“Lovely Jubbly Prices!”,
“You first customer, I give you best price for lucky money!”
We looked, we touched,
we ate delicious hand made to order samosas and pakoras,
we chatted, we walked away!
Katie wanted a sarong but the choice was overwhelming.
I needed nothing but the looking was great fun.
Lisa wanted thread and beads to make her own stuff but here was not the place for that sort of shopping and Karen …...
Karen had been given Birthday Money for her 50th the week before and shopping was just what she intended to do! Not accommodation or food shopping either but frivolous shopping, outlandish shopping, memorable shopping and so we moved from place to place trying on boots that were designed with more holes than fabric.
We bought bright flamboyant dress tops that then needed leggings to match. We bought music, necklaces and trinkets until her bag was overflowing and we were exhausted!
We took some drinks and fruit onto the beach and sat in the shade
as cows and men with pipes entertained us before we ventured back into the multi-coloured streets.
Round two saw us looking at throws of the most amazing design,
threads and mirrors reflecting in the mid day sun.
Skirts mirrored to the hilt and weighing more than my entire luggage were admired.
Hammocks,
hanging chairs
of different designs were photographed, their dimensions noted for future reference.
The heat grew and Karen and I retired to the sea facing restaurant after a final look at the jewellery,
while the girls tackled round three!!
It was a full hour later that they returned Katie smiling broadly and clutching her new sarong.
we had arrived at 9.30am and by 4.30 pm we were ready for home!!
The crowds had grown,
the hard sell had started,
the fun had been had and it was time for the beach!
We had planned to catch a boat back to Arambol but soon discovered that the boat trips didn't run on a Wednesday (they made more money running to and from Baga bay around the corner!)
We had a final march through the now busy market place and found a taxi to take us to our hut doorsteps.
The beach was found within seconds of our return as shopping was locked away and Bikinis were put on.
As the sun began its final dip, people played cricket on the beach,
cows periodically interrupted play,
as they too gathered to chat and stroll in the cooling air.
The rolling sea water was supporting and refreshing and just what was needed after a day of dust and heat. As the sun sank once again over the Arabian sea we realised how wonderful life really was!!
