Market Maze

In addition to babies and puppies, I have a new found love in my life.  Markets.  The hidden jewels tucked away in the corners of these grand, outdoor spaces are endless.  From juicy pineapple in a stick being sold for pennies a piece to fresh produce straight from the ground or tree, you can always find an eclectic variety of things. 

Even fabric.

Some few weeks ago a couple of friends and I headed to Arua, located in the West Nile.  Known for their collection of fabric coming from the Congo, we were ready to shop. 

Too bad we had no idea what we were getting into.

Directed by various people to a desolated ally we hesitantly entered.  The first stalls carried plain colored fabric, used primarily for school uniforms along with threads of every imaginable color and needles of all sizes.  Then we saw your average stall of sugar, biscuits, and bread.  Much like the yellow brick road, we followed one another around bends and curves until we saw it… Fabric of all sorts.  Each row was about 50 feet in length and we had three and a half rows to tackle.  I would approximate there were about 70 stalls of fabric of which each had anywhere from 150 to 300 pieces of fabric.  I was stunned as I had to decide how much to buy and what to make for my family back home.  What colors would they like and why was every pattern starting to look like a pair of eyes?  The women running the stalls were incredibly helpful, taking the fabric on and off as I wanted to feel the quality and examine what colored top could be paired with it if I chose to make a skirt. 

After two and a half hours visiting with the women and circling around the market I finally decided on three fabulous fabrics straight out of the heart of the DRC. 

The fabric will eventually be turned into something but my decision-making has been put on pause since this overwhelming yet exciting trip.

This is only half the size