Bon Marché Eh!

Almost every community in Togo no matter how big or small has a market or Marché where you can buy food and other items for the house. The larger villages will have larger markets and the chances are you will be able to find more items. Dapaong is a Regional Capitol and on market days people come in from all over the Savannas Region to buy and sell their goods. The Marché area of Dapaong consists of three large open air buildings with green roofs. The first building has several long tables were you can buy seasonal fruits and veggies as well as spices and flour. In the other two larger buildings there are dozens of small booths where you can find cookware, small electronics, clothes, fabric and other odds and ends. You can go to the Marche and find things every day but the big Marche days for Dapaong are Saturdays and Wednesdays. On these days the Marche is swarming with people and you can find almost anything you would need.
I have been trying to cook more and the market is the only place where can find fresh food. I don’t have a refrigerator yet so I have to go every couple of days. Walking around the Marché area is all ways an interesting experience and every time I go I seem to discover a new part. There are always interesting smells, sights, and sounds at the Marché. There are always kids running around and vendors yelling out to you to buy their wares. It feels pretty chaotic sometimes but at the same time it seems natural and proper here in Togo. If you ever come to visit you will just have to experience it for yourself. Usually when I’m done buying all of my stuff I go to a restaurant nearby that has an open air terrace on the second floor and I look down at all of the organized madness. Sometimes you just have to buy things on impulse. Last week I bought a knock off Phoenix Suns Jersey for the hell of it.
In my past experiences abroad I would often tour the Marché or Souks, or Bazaars and look for knick-knacks or other souvenirs to bring back to the states. Now that I’m living in Togo going to the Market is much different. Instead of buying a gift for a friend back home I’m getting food and goods for myself, and I have to be more aware of prices. Knowing how to haggle or “discoute” with the venders is always a interesting ordeal.

Combein pour sa?

10 Mille franc.

Ah heh. C’est le prix pour le « yovo » Je vais paire 3 mille

Non non non non. 8 mille

Le dernier prix est quoi ?

5 mille franc

Ah bon. Je payer 4 mille franc

D’accord



The Marché mamas, as we like to call them, really know how to drive a hard bargain.