Shopping at markets in Africa
can be overwhelming; a little pushing, some shoving and of course, haggling
over the price. In the beginning, it all made me feel quite uncomfortable. I
hated to bargain over prices: why can’t people trade honestly? Taking advantage
of someone’s ignorance and/or kindness seems wrong. Not to mention being a “Mondélé”
(white person) in small Congolese villages draws even more attention, as you will
be routinely told an item is 300% higher than the actual market price. Everyone is of
course starring at you and children may be taunting “Mondélé, Mondélé, Mondélé….”
As time continued, I finally had it with paying more for an item than it was
actually worth. I found the courage to bargain (nicely) and I loved it:
couch cushions, tomato sauce, soda, eggs or fabric. I can proudly say that when
I returned to Rome and faced the city’s infamous street vendors, I successfully
took a man selling sunglasses from 40 euros to 10. Next Step…
Buying Fabric for BOMOI BAGS
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