The Artisans Market

Here is a sotrama - not our sotrama, but hopefully you can see the size and how they are jammed in there.

We had a successful day on Saturday. We think of these days as successful, not necessarily fun, because we completed what we set out to do. If we had to be completely honest, it was a completely overwhelming experience. We asked the kids if they wanted to go - only Zach said yes. Our friends Billy and Heather said they would watch Faith and Luke. We dropped them off at their house and then walked to the main street to catch the sotrama. A few came by, but were full, so we waited. When another came by, I thought it was full - silly me! Ron and Zach got on and when I climbed into it (think old school gutted volkswagon bus) I did not see any spots. The inside of the 4 walls have wooden benches. I told Zach to get up and I sat down on my few inches of bench and had him sit on my lap. They told me that he couldn't sit on my lap, at this point I didn't see any more wood available. Once again silly me! The people scooted over and made a couple of inches for Zach. Ron was half sitting on 2 women, Zach and I were half sitting on each other. There were 18 people and 2 infants jammed into this vehicle! Driving a little ways down the road, Zach got his first intimate lesson on breastfeeding! Both women next to me, determined it was time for their babies to eat. Let's just say they are not discreet like in America - it is fully exposed and sometimes if the babies take a break - they will just leave it out until they are ready to continue. The one women fed her baby probably 4 or 5 times because he was cranky! After we figured out where we needed to get off (with the help of those on the van), we headed into the market. Everyone suddenly was our friend, cousin, brother, and we even got - great to see you again (we all look alike to them!). Once you made eye contact - you were officially escorted into their shop. They promised to give us the best price! The vendors spoke pretty good English too, so we couldn't talk to each other! Here is how the game is played: I ask how much something is, they respond with a ridiculous price, I appear shocked and respond with a ridiculous offer, to which they appear appalled. Then we haggle back and forth until we come to a price we both agree to. It is exhausting! I had to be reminded by them many times of the rules! We kept saying to them - we just are looking. To which they responded, well come on in looking is free and if you were curious as to what something costs and asked the game began. I had to tell them many times - after they explained the rules once again - I don't want to play the game with that particular item - I was just curious! We bought a few things and then we both looked at each other and said - I am done! It was a neat experience to see them making their wares right there, seeing animal skins drying, shaping their wood, etc.

We left there and had to catch the bus back to Billy and Heather's neighborhood. Problem was - it is a one-way street into downtown and we couldn't find the street that led out of town. We walked a little way - we ended up getting lost in a covered market. We finally found our way to a street and saw the buses heading out of the city. We hopped on the sotrama and praise the Lord, this one wasn't crowded. We made conversation with a lady and she helped us stop the bus when it was time. We practiced our Bambara - her reply laugh, laugh, laugh.

Here are some random pictures of things people carry while they are driving motos:

Yes, they are carrying live goats! The one right above, was none to happy about it!! You can also see how orderly the motos are at lights!