October 14, 2014 --To Market with Milo

Before I write about going to the “Beeg market, Ma’ma” with Milo yesterday,  I have to mention another vendor who just rode past, calling something unfamiliar..

There have been several this morning – probably eight so far.  I do not usually get to the balcony in time to see what they have (if I don’t recognize the words) or if I do, I have missed the opportunity for a good picture  - as was the case just now.

This morning’s guy was collecting scrap metal – on a bicycle – and so far, he had a WASHING MACHINE and various old wrought-iron plant holds strapped to his carrier -  and still he was hoping for MORE!   I had not seen him before.   Wish I had that picture.

Several days ago, Milo mentioned that she was going to the beeg market on Sunday and Rob told her we would like to come along. 

We agreed to meet at 11 a.m. downstairs by the gate and set off up the street to get an auto rickshaw.  Milo arranged the price with the driver – 10 rs. per person to (I thought) Sector 19 market.  After some time, we were turning in to Sector 51, and searching the maze of numbers for the right address.  Milo said – “My friend!”  She had mentioned her friends were also going to the market.  I just didn’t know they were all going TOGETHER.  I think Rob and I were horning in.  Oh dear.

Anyway, we found the friend’s house, and just about the time she emerged, another rickshaw pulled up out front and the second friend debarked and got in with us too.  Now we were five in a rickshaw.  Three (squashed) on the seat, and two more, Lakshmi an d Sangita, on the back of the driver’s seat.  We putted along for quite a while, and then there was some by-play in Punjabi between the driver and Milo – who translated that only four were allowed in a Rickshaw in Chandigarh (as opposed to Mohali) and of course we had FIVE.  A few minutes later, the driver stopped beside the road and one of Milo.s friend’s, Lakshmi, got out and we roared away.  It transpired that the driver had spotted a policeman up ahead at the next round-about, so Lakshmi was elected to get out, scurry as fast as she could after us, and then reboard out rickshaw up around the next curve out of sight of the police.  We had to wait some time for her, as it wasn’t a trivial distance.

Milo, Lakshmi, and Sangita in the rickshaw

In about ten minute’s time, the same thing happened again and poor Lakshmi had to go once more.  I said I would go as I am a fast walker, but of course they wouldn’t hear of it.  This time, the driver could see traffic cameras at the next round-about, so again was worried about being challaned (ticketed).  Finally we had Lakshmi back and finally arrived at our destination.

This was what is referred to as a Tent Market. Many, many stalls crammed together under a huge tented area.  Each stall is numbered, in no particular order that I could see, and each stall selling shirts (countless) look exactly like the others selling shirts.   Same goes for jewelry, shoes, kurtas etc….and then there is the CRUSH of people in the narrow aisles and don’t forget folks, it’s under a TENT with the blazing sun outside.  Overwhelming is the word. 

Bangles at the tent market

Bracelet bangles

Milo and her friends looked in various stalls and bought some things.  Milo bought me a bracelet and was DESPERATE to get something for Rob, but they  couldn’t find a mutually acceptable item.  (This because Rob and I gave Milo money for Diwali and she wanted to reciprocate.)

Milo may be short, but she is a born Border Collie – I mean Leader.  She had all four of us on a very short leash – to be sure we didn’t get separated, AND so that she could show us all her favourite stalls.  Come on Sir, Come on Ma’am was her constant war cry.  What a hoot. Eventually we wended our way around to an open-air eatery with plastic tables and chairs tightly pushed together.  We managed to find a spot to seat five and then got in line to order Chana bhatura, which she had been talking about all week.  Curried Chickpeas with deep-fried rotis.  This little dhaba being exactly the kind of place Rob and I try to avoid (Delhi Belly), still we decided to go along with the others- and it smelled wonderful there.  My thinking – Chana bubbling away in huge pots, and roti cooked in boiling oil.  How much more sterile could they be?  (24 hrs later, and no ill-effects, BTW)

We had a good time with Milo, Lakshmi and Sangita.  I bought 4 white pillow cases to get dyed at the local dye-wala, as well as a Kurta Milo hounded me into buying (if it fits me I will be very surprised).  We came home in two rickshaws to avoid the possibility of a run-in with the police.

Hansi