Gambia - Shopping

From Supermarkets to Craft markets, there's plenty to see and buy.

ST MARY'S FOOD & WINE at Cape Point, Kotu and Senegambia, sells just about everything from food to televisions. At the Kotu branch there is a Bureau de Change next door.

PAUL MAROUN'S in Bakau, close to the African Village Hotel, and on Kairaba Avenue, Serekunda, where you can buy your food, a refrigerator or a moped.

BAKAU MARKET has all the fruit, and most of the vegetables, that you would expect to find in Europe.

FRUIT SELLERS. You will find that every tourist hotel has a row of fruit sellers, either outside of the hotel, or on the beach. The fruit is a little more expensive than in the market, but one sale could put food on the table that evening. Best value, especially on the beach, is to order a fruit salad which will be brought to you on a plate. Cheap and Delicious.

KAIRABA AVENUE. From Fajara all the way to Serekunda, supermarkets can be found at regular intervals. They sell much the same things, but the prices can differ.

SEREKUNDA MARKET. Well worth a visit. This is the market where you may find the one item that you never expected to find, shoes, leather sandals, beach wear etc.

BANJUL. The capital has just about everything. Markets, shops, supermarkets, craft markets, cafes, restaurants, heat, dust etc. But worth a visit.

CRAFT MARKETS. Every hotel must have one, or so it seems. If you see one, which you will, have a look round. There will not be too much pressure put on you to buy, and if you want to leave, just say, "maybe later".

My personal favorite is the one between the Hotel Kombo Beach and the Bungalow Beach Hotel. (The BB Craft Market) Not just because I know many people there, or that I sometimes play football on the beach with some of the guys who work there. But, mainly because my mother-in-law, Yamai Joof, sells at stall No 15. If I don't give her a mention, my wife will give me a hard time. If you see Yamai, do greet her and tell her you saw her on the web.

Yamai in Gambia

Yamoundow in Gambia

Yamai is pictured here with her daughter, Fatou. (Above right) Fatou is known by everyone as Yamoundow, or Yamou for short. She sometimes works in the market, helping her mother.

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