Going to Market
Going to the “marche” is always an adventure! There are no grocery stores in Mango. All of our shopping is done at roadside stands, in little boutiques, and at the market. The market is the equivalent of a city block, filled with tents and makeshift stands. You can buy everything from wheelbarrows to bananas…but you have to know how to navigate the maze. We have often looked like crazy Americans as we trace and retrace out steps trying to find “the egg shop” or “the gold-toothed lady” who has the best prices on tomato paste and laundry detergent. And then there’s Mono Prix (pictured above)! Mono Prix is the Walmart of the market. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask. The owner will go in his back storehouse and pull out anything from printer paper to roach killer.
There are times when a trip to the market is just too overwhelming, so I often ask my house helper to get some of the basics for me. Some typical items on my shopping list include: apples, cucumbers, onions, eggs, flour, oil, rice, powdered milk, popcorn kernels, toilet paper, and bleach. After buying the produce, there is a lengthy process of soaking everything in a bleach wash and then rinsing everything in filtered water. (We even have to soak and scrub each egg!) All of our meat, butter, cheese and frozen vegetables are brought up from the towns of Lome (7 hours away) or Kara (2 hours away). I have sandwich rolls delivered twice a week by a local baker since I do not have time to bake my own bread.
We are definitely still learning how to plan and prepare meals here in Togo. We were so blessed by the frozen meals prepared for us during the first few weeks after our arrival.
