“Do you know how to get there,” I ask H as we walk hand-in-hand down busy pavement on our last Saturday in London.
“I don’t need directions, we just have to follow the people,” he replied.
“Really, is it that obvious?”
He remained quiet. As we rounded the corner, I realized he didn’t need to answer. What we saw was reply enough.
A sea of people the population equivalent to our small beach town pressed into the Portobello Road Market, as patrons to over 1,000 dealers selling everything imaginable. From antiques and “bric-a-brac”, fresh flowers to paella simmering in fragrant garlic, people playing instruments on street corners for donations throughout. Sometimes the way bystanders look at musicians is more entertaining than the tune being strummed.
All of our senses were immediately on overload. We left with a sack full of scarves and plans to return on our next visit.
We were fortunate to stay with friends who live in a flat in Notting Hill. And Notting Hill was the first movie I cued up when we got back.
Sometimes pictures tell a better story. Enjoy your Saturday friends. I’ll be dreaming of sauntering down this street and praying for a miracle to carry us back.
What is your favorite thing about going to markets? Do you have a weekly market in your city?
Well Shelly, I’ve never seen a market quite like this one! How interesting, just studying the different faces and styles of people. There are a couple of Saturday markets in my area. And I once helped my sister-in-law for several weeks to ‘do the market’, selling flowers for her Dad. It’s where I first discovered the lovely-scented ‘fresia’. I love ‘Market Culture’–the absolutely friendly brand of people in their ‘stalls’ selling their wares. People can be very talkative first thing on a Saturday morn. I also loved rising at 5:00 a.m., setting up the stall in the early-morning mist, sun just waking up. The cool of that time of day. Offering bargains near end of market day, just so you didn’t have to haul a lot of stock back with you. It was a great time, one that I’d do again, any time.
Praying with you for that miracle to “take you back” there. Oh, and by the way, I LOVE that London umbrella in shades of black and grey! Think you can ship one to me once you get there??? 🙂
Following you to London has been wonderful, Shelly. I was blessed to visit England three times for ministry to teachers of young children. Each visit included at least one day in London so I’ve loved seeing it again through your eyes. Next time around I’ll try to include Notting Hill. Safe travels home. Mind the gap(s). And remember his promise to you, “”Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jer 33:3-4
I love going to local markets. It is a fantastic way to get a glimpse of how life flows within the city. My favourite was a walk in a Jordanian market watching them make their flat bread. Following that, I love watching the food venders cooking like when they made us chai in India.
You get to interact with people, chat with them and I love doing that while visiting another culture. By the way, I always end up bringing home some kind of spice in my suit case. From Pakistan, it was cardamom.