THE JOHANNESBURG DIARIES - PRISON BREAK MARKET - #BLOGCHATTERA2Z2023
It is said that the
name came from one of the oldest prisons in the world where a large number of musicians
and artists came together to entertain the prisoners through their performances.
What is fascinating
about this market is that there are seven sheds where farmers and vendors display
their wares and are able to sell them creating an atmosphere of artisanal
excellence.
While we were not
able to go to all the sheds, here is a lowdown on the ones we were able to
savour.
Shed 1 – Star Foods – This was a cornucopia of breads and baked food. As we walked in, the tantalizing aroma of fresh products hit us and there we were, already salivating.
The shops looked
amazing, with their cakes, pastries, baked desserts, waffles and beverages of
all kinds including lemonade and ginger ale, nestling along with teas and
coffees that smelt delicious. The prices were a bit daunting, for when we went
to get coconut water, we were expected to shell out 70 rands with or without
alcohol. For a person from Kerala, that was nothing short of daylight robbery –
paying a whopping sum of Rs. 420 for one glass.
However, we did pick up some Boba tea for the children which was a kind of flavoured tea with bubbles at its bottom which reminded me of the much loved Keats’ quote…
“O for a beaker full
of the warm South,/ Full of the true, the blushful Hippocrene,/
With beaded bubbles
winking at the brim,/ And purple stain’d mouth;/
That I might drink,
and leave the world unseen,/ And with thee fade away into the forest dim.”
Shed 2 – The Yard
Eatery – This was a long space with a wooded deck, surfeit with eateries – from
momos and dumplings, bao buns (buns stuffed with chicken), wood-fired pizzas
and chicken tikkas to artisanal ice cream, beer and various other beverages, we
were quite spoilt for choice. We sat down to enjoy the variety, gorging on
dumplings (which again were rather highly priced) and looked as bland as they
tasted. The bao buns were delicious.
There was also a whole section of paintings that were eye-catching and we could actually watch some of them at work, as they created their masterpieces.
For me, apart from
the food and the excitement, what made this an indelible experience was coming
across a singer who sang as though his song had no ending. Obviously, he has an incredible social presence, as he performed live, taking a break
to update his large number of fans after almost every song. We sat and we
listened, and our hearts were filled with content and languor.
And as Wordsworth put it so poignantly,
The music in my heart
I bore/ Long after it was heard no more.”
Shed 4 – Clay Café Lone Hill sounds like the perfect outlet for letting all the creative angst.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Manali! I am looking forward to letting some of mine out soon! :)
DeleteWhat a visual delight. Reminded me of a market I had visited in Kuala Lumpur.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Suchita! There is so much variety to be found in markets around the world!
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