Spicey!

“Our minds are like our stomachs; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetites.”          

- John Quinton

 

Don't know what spices to buy?  How about a spice necklace?  They smell wonderful!

One of the very best things about living and traveling abroad are the local markets.  I think open-air markets are one of the quickest ways to transport yourself to another culture.  Whether it be a Farmer's Market in Wisconsin, a Bazaar in Egypt, a Flea Market in Turkey or a Produce Market in Africa - it is a guaranteed cheap and easy way to spend an exciting afternoon while taking in the sites, sounds and smells of a place.  I seek out a local market wherever I go.

Here in Grenada, the most famous market is the Spice Market (I mean, this place is not called "Spice Island" for nothing).  As soon as you walk in the battle for your attention begins; "Hey sexy!! Come look here!" "Girly - delicious spices for you!" "Beautiful woman, it takes nothing to look - please come!" - these folks have (obviously) learned that flattery can get you far!  Your senses are attacked as you wind in and out of the aisles: vendors hawk their colorful goods in your face, your ears ring with the elevated buzz of buying and selling, and the smells - oh the smells - nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, curry and more fill the air - it's impossible not to feel a little hunger pang.

Nutmeg (Grenada's most famous spice) - in the raw - laced by the Mace spice

Now if only I knew what to do with all these spices...hmmmm...

Love,
Brittany & Scott