This was supposed to post about 2 weeks ago...but I couldn't get my pictures to post like I wanted, so it's been sitting in my drafts ever since...I will post it now...


So, I had posted a status on facebook about going to the market, and that I missed the convenience of Wal-Mart sometimes. I TAKE IT BACK!!! I love the market! Let me break it down for you:

*1 bunch GARDENIAS: $ .21 (yes, that's twenty-one cents!)
*2 dozen CALA LILIES: $ .42 (YES, forty-two cents!)
*10 BIRDS OF PARADISE: $2.11
*3 AFRICAN DAISIES: $1.89 (I splurged a little on these!)
*6.5 pounds of wonderfully fruity, tasty bananas: $2.53
*12 pounds of fresh fuji apples: $6.32
*1 medium sized watermelon: $2.53
*1 large, prepped pineapple: $ .95
*4.5 pounds sweet, ripe mangoes: $3.37
*2 stalks celery (though small): $ .48
*4 ears of corn: $1.26
*1 pound fresh spinach: $ .95
*1 pound fresh romaine: $ .95
*2.2 pounds of tomatoes: $1.26
*9 pounds potatoes: $4.20
*2 large heads of cabbage: $1.26
*2 green peppers: $ .42
*5 pounds fresh carrots (think Bugs Bunny sized): $2.95
*2 pounds cucumbers: $ .42

Considering all these fruits, vegetables and flowers are fresh from the garden, beautiful AND delicious, you just can't beat it! Not to mention that the day was beautiful (a sunny 70+), the culture immersion is rich, and I had the joy of blessing a former orphanage client with some income by hiring him to carry my bags.

Now, Before you judge me for that, consider this...there are almost as many "carriers" in the market as there are vendors. They wait all day for someone to hire them so they can take home a dollar or two to help feed their family. Michael is a smart, strong, honest, Christian young man that I can help by paying him about $2.50 (a half days wage!) for carrying my fruits and vegetables for about an hour. It helps him, and definitely helps me!!! A white lady in the market has dollar signs stamped on her forehead, and I'm sure I still pay more than the locals, because I won't generally bargain much...but it really helps to have someone I trust with me who can tell me if the price is fair or not!

Anyway, thank you, LORD for the beautiful Baguio City market!