markets – GW Blogs from Abroad

South African Markets

AdminAugust 29, 2014December 17, 2018

You find yourself with nothing to do on a Saturday morning, but the weather is beautiful. What to do?

Well among the typical South African answers of hiking a mountain, going biking, or any variety of outdoors activities [South Africans love the outdoors], a staple of a weekend morning is going to the market. Now when I share this with friends back home, I can just see their thoughts resorting to the select pictures of far-away markets they may have seen in some National Geographic issue. As such, I want you to take whatever market you are imagining, and upgrade it.

South Africa has markets like what you’re imagining- wooden crates full of fresh fruits and veggies, staples for a week of cooking, maybe even something hot and cheap to eat. However, what few may imagine is that South Africa has some of the most beautiful, diverse, and lively markets out there. Markets like the Neighborgoods Market, which exists in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, sell locally made goods from upscale jewelry to different spreads to fudge to Rooibos flavored beer and beyond. It’s the type of place that you can celebrate the weekend by strolling with friends, tasting tidbits of everything, splurging on something you probably don’t need but must have, and listen to live music. It is, by far, my favorite way to spend a weekend morning and gives you a nice chance to celebrate small businesses and local flavors.

Here in Stellenbosch, despite being a small town, we too have our markets to offer. One being the Stellenbosch Slow Market, and the other being the Route 44 Market. Both, unsurprisingly, are hosted at vineyards, as Stellenbosch is in the heart of South African wine country.

saturday market 3 — Checking out the delicious food

True to form, the markets are, though joyful, also a reminder of wealth inequality within the country. Though the prices of goods may not seem high for a Western visitor, or a wealthy white South African, they are not the “place to be” so-to-say for the normal South African citizen. If the cost of your meal at the market is R60 (about $6) or the sweater you buy is R150 ($15) and you are paid the South African minimum wage of R10- that’s 1 U.S. Dollar an hour, these markets just aren’t feasible to visit, nor do they supply the types of goods that you’re looking for. As such, and perhaps this is the case too of Farmer’s Markets in the United States, these markets attract a specific section of the population and though fun, are only representative of the more upscale version of the market.

However, markets of a different kind are a staple nonetheless. I’ve gone to township markets where everyone from grandparents to children are playing and eating. In fact, it was there that I first tried a “smiley” which is a barbequed sheep’s head. I’ve also been to markets in Johannesburg that sell locally grown staple foods and working-man’s food for R2 ($0.25). No matter what market you attend, you will find something adventurous to eat, a true taste of the country, and friendly locals who will be glad to have you there. So if you ever have the chance in any country, my biggest suggestion is to find the markets!

AdminApril 16, 2014

It's been a beautiful week here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have enjoyed getting settled back into the city that I came to love after spending a whole semester here last year with the GW Latin America exhange program.

It has been fascinating to see the city in a whole new light. Last semester, I studied at a local university, taking classes in their International Affairs department, and this semester, I've been taking courses on the politics, planning and culture of cities in a classroom with 32 other students from US universities. As such, the dynamics and the structures of these two classrooms have been distinct and each has had its pluses and minuses.

For instance, learning in an Argentine classroom gave me a very clear understanding of the nuances of the culture. The information that I heard was not tailored to me as the audience, but rather was the unbridled Argentine perspective. One of my most rewarding classes last semester was on the history of the Americas, in which one of the sections was a history of the US. It was fascinating to hear how a foreigner interpreted the notable moments of US history. My professor had a lot to say about racsim in the US; he also thought that Obama was pretty WASP-y. Additionally, it was also the first time I was expected to memorize all of the US presidents.

This semester, my classroom has been much more experience-oriented. Our facilitators have given us incredible access to academics, professionals, and locals in all aspects of the city. Our most recent adventure included exploring the city's hidden wholesale district, Once, where the owners of all the city's posh boutiques purchase their base materials. Not only is it a great place to shop for some bargains, it has a lot to say about the immigrant culture of Argentina. Like the US, this country has been a landing point for immigrants from all over the city for centuries. Some of the most recent waves have settled in Once, to sell their wares in the stores and on the streets. In under an hour and within a 5 block radius, our group was able to interview people from Peru, Bolivia, Ghana, Senegal, Ukrain, Israel, and more. I was very excited to use some of my Wolof greetings that I'd learned during my stay in Senegal. And here I thought I'd never be able to use Wolof again!

Needless to say, its been a year full of distinctive and unexpected learning experiences. Often times, the most telling lessons have appeared between the lines of my textbook lessons or even outside of the classroom. I look forward to brining these little lessons back and applying them during my last year at GW!

Farewells

AdminNovember 16, 2013December 14, 2018

By tinavisc

The last week of my study abroad program has at last arrived, and I feel exceptionally unprepared to part from the close friends I've made. Somewhere in the mix of university studying, working, and exploring Cape Town, I forgot to spend every waking second with my new friends! I feel so blessed to have met and learned from the wonderful people on my program, however I'm not quite ready to let them go.

I felt very similar the last week before I left D.C. for South Africa. It had been the first time in my life that I didn't want to run away; I had essentially planted my roots and my love in one place. I was comforted by the fact that D.C. would still be there when I got back. Sure, life goes on and things change, but the friends I consider family would still be there. The friends I've made in Cape Town are a different story. Who knows if we will, in fact, ever be in the same geographical location at the same time? Who knows if we'll be able to maintain global contact in this ever distracting world? In any case, thank goodness for Skype.

I have a feeling that as life goes on, you experience more and more friendships with this naturally expiring time limit set. This fact, however dismal it may be, can't let you avoid making friends in the first place. We can always learn and grow from each other, no matter how long we'll be in each other's presence. Although I'm so sad to part from my new friends, I'm so thankful to have met each and every one of them.

I will forever hold a special place in my heart for those I've shared this incredible journey with.

When the friends you’ve made, the ones who’ve forever changed your life, return to their lives around the planet. #GWU #GWAbroad

Markets, market galore

AdminNovember 2, 2013December 14, 2018

By tinavisc

Americans in Cape Town have a knack for finding neighborhood markets. While a good portion of foreigners do infest the myriad craft/clothing/food markets scattered around Cape Town, a large population of Cape Townians themselves integrate market living into their weekly lives. I thought I’d share some of my favorite markets and why they’re so special.

The City Bowl Market is the smallest one I’ve been to, but has the most loveliness to offer. Situated in the trendy Gardens neighborhood of Cape Town, City Bowl is organized in a small community center and attended by 20-somethings and families alike. Various vendors selling Indian street food, gluten-free baked goods, jewelry, wine, and veggies ensure that everyone can take something of value away from the market. The broody solo guitarist may get you down on occasion, but the wine tastings remind you that market-chilling is the way to build some great community spirit.

The Old Biscuit Mill, which did in fact manufacture biscuits once-upon-a-time, has turned into the place to be on Saturday mornings. Hundreds of people swarm the market to wander around a vast array of prepared foods, quality which is ever elusive everywhere outside of the market itself. This past Saturday, a ‘gypsy jazz’ band local to Cape Town, Manouche, serenaded market goers with a bluesy singer, accordion, bass, guitar, and fiddle. My personal favorite moment of the morning was enjoying my freshly squeezed spinach and kale juice while listening to the band jam out to Summertime.

The Cape Town Crafts Market, located right off the V & A Waterfront, offers the best choices for those looking to bring back gifts from abroad. While this market, yes, does cater mostly to tourists, the products sold are ones of quality and charm. My favorite vendor sells jewelry all made by him, cut from colored clay. A couple of my friends even splurged on an African drum to add some spice to our American bubble lives back in student housing.

Visiting neighborhood markets has been the most fun and interesting way to integrate Cape Town culture into our student lives. I highly suggest checking out the local markets wherever one might decide to travel, in the very least you’ll get a great souvenir for home; best case scenario: you learn more than you’d ever imagine about the daily lives of locals.