So I've mentioned more than a few times how EVERYTHING is expensive in Luanda, right? Well, I must be fair. Not everything is expensive... or to put it more accurately, not everywhere in Luanda is expensive. Stores, restaurants, boutiques, malls, etc, yes... very expensive. But there is a source of abundant retail goodness that I have yet to mention. A complete treasure chest of goodies galore at affordable prices. Where is this, you ask? Why, it's the outdoor markets. Yes, my friends. Ghetto, unkempt, and unhygienic as they may be, those outdoor markets are THE place to go when you're a pennypincher in need of a shopping spree. There are several markets that sell good stuff, depending on what you're looking for (clothes, produce, electronics, etc) but there's one market that is the KING of all outdoor markets in Luanda. In fact, legend has it that it is the biggest outdoor market in all of Africa. I don't doubt it. This place is a SEA of booths, tents, and rugs splayed over the landscape exhibiting all the goodies they have to sell.
And They. Sell. EVERYTHING. Seriously, there's nothing you can't find at this marketplace. You need it, they've got it. And for cheap. I love it. The only drawback is that since it is so accessible to the lower classes, it is also accessible to the criminals. That place is mugging central. If you go there with anything on - a nice watch, a necklace, bracelet, earrings, cellphone, wallet, ANYthing- it'll get snatched. So the way to go about it is to lock up everything in the car or at home, and just take the money you're gonna need in your bra or somewhere unreachable.
Today I went to Roque to get some shoes that are comfortable to walk in... After my last vacation, I realize how important it is to wear comfy shoes for all the walking one does when travelling. I ended getting some cute tennis shoes, kinda like chucks but not quite (they look like this but without the red and black lines: http://www.converse.com/#/products/collections/Chuck%20Taylor%20All%20Star%20Slim/113896F), that people buy at stores, malls, and boutiques for like 100 bucks. They cost me $9. Pretty stinkin' awesome.
So this post is dedicated to the awesome (and highly dangerous) market that will from now on be my mall of choice. Don't worry guys, I always go with one of my uncles or cousins or coworkers and I carry nothing of value with me so I wont get attacked.
Yay for ultra-bargains!
4 comments:
You always go with cousins, or coworkers, or uncles, or... Wait, you ALWAYS go? As in, this isn't a once a year mugging central visit? What am I going to do with you??!
And that picture (panorama), did you take it? That's pretty cool. :)
Dude thats place is huge and yes looks mighty ghetto but i totally understand the whole cheap but wonderful. In LA they would have those ghetto swapmeets and things were soooo cheap and awesome we just always went in a group ... stayed together and never asked how the people got a hold of the merchandise in the first place...lolololol... the pictures u took are awesome.... well that is if u actually took it.... I loved them... take more so I can see Africa through u.... :) Ive always wanted to go so I shall live vicariously through your pictures :)
BY THE WAY LLLOOVE THE SHOES :) AND THERE NOT KINDA LIKE CHUCKS ... THEY ARE CHUCKS SILLY....
And the truth comes out! This is really why you've been training...not for races, but to be able to run away from thieves during your "mall" excursions! lol
P.S. The 1st picture, yeah.....it totally looks like a refugee camp. Maybe because I can't get it to zoom in....
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