I know I promised to take you along on a window shopping trip around my local market a couple of weeks ago! And here I am, to do just that. (Mel, I am looking at you, c'mon, let's go!) Oh, don't hesitate to buy something, if you want!
I am only taking you through a short stretch of the Malleswaram Market. A word about this place. We're a stones throw from it and never need an excuse to take a walk around it. People from all over the city come over here especially, even though there are markets and malls everywhere.
Malleswaram Market is legendary and a historic location. It sells everything. And when I say everything, I mean absolutely everything. You name it you'll get it. I love it best during festival time when vendors from all the neighboring villages come over with their produce - the roads are blocked to keep the traffic away - and it is a shopping fest incomparable to any experience.
So let's go!
Malleswaram Market
First stop is this cute jewelry store - semi-precious jewelry and pearls are sold. I am always fascinated by the giant foot outside the store. Cute eh? Nice prices, too!
Right opposite this shop, there's this guy selling soft toys. On the pavement. Ready to pack his bags and run if the police waves his baton at him - and ready to slip him a note and stay put! And ready to bargain! Pretty good quality too!
Next, bags. This is just one such "shop" - there are several in our area and we each of us have our favorite sellers. Colorful, embellished and a variety of materials. One thing you can be sure of - a good deal.
Let's see some shoes now! These guys are very enterprising - you can expect to see their product range increase and decrease depending on what they decide to sell. No matter what, we're happy to be surprised! Party shoes, casual footwear - everything is available.
Since I didn't cover the entire store in that pic, here's a closeup of the footwear
Clothes are up next, naturally! Quite a dazzling array - this is only the display outside. There's lots more inside and the sales people are friendly!
Something to nibble on, now? Cotton candy in that special shade of pink! How excited this used to get us when we were children! They hold their magic for the passersby!
Here is one of my favorite sights - the plant-sellers! Aloe vera, holy basil, flowering plants - you'll find them all here! They also keep the area fragrant!
And my tour of Malleswaram Market would be incomplete without the huge wicker baskets of flowers all over the place. Small businesswomen. They have their space marked out.
Let's wrap up with another bunch of cuddles! This time, in character. Doraemon is a big favorite! I personally like the tortoise!
And this poor guy has been hanging in there for the longest time! Always smiling.
So that's a piece of the Malleswaram Market. What I love about it - the vendors are always friendly and not always desperate to make a sale. These guys know the true meaning of presell and upsell - and corporate marketers would do well to learn a thing or two from them. It takes grit and guts to survive in that market and I love it that I've known most of these people for 15 years now - ever since we moved into this city.
And yes, we love to shop at our local market!
I am joining Mel at Stirrup Queens for MicroblogMondays
and
Claudya at Unknown Mami for Sundays in my city
Have a great week!
P.S.: Please check out the latest service from Vanita Cyril - Website in a day - Just click the image to see details!