Le Monde - Cuckoo’s Eyeview

The markets of Goa are fun to visit, whether it is vegetable market of Vasco, daily market of Mapusa or any other weekly market. All the major cities & towns in Goa have their weekly markets, which is an experience by itself. The major ones are at the Panaji, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco and smaller ones are at places like Calangute, Pernem, Bicholim, etc.
Out of these, one of the most famous and talked about market is the Anjuna Flea Market held every Wednesday at the Anjuna beach. Same famous Anjuna beach which has become even more famous after the murder of Scarlett Keeling.

From clothes, sarees, spices, hukkas, drugs, exciting range of Gujrati, Kashmiri, and Tibetan handicrafts work, souvenirs, expensive silver cutlery, hammock, books, musical instruments like guitar, mouth organ, violin, tabla to a second hand camera, cellular phones, bike, and jewelries.. .. one can find everything under the sun. This is a one stop shopping place.

If you can spare half a day, one visit is a must for the sake of an experience. We also did the same. We were told to just have a look and do not buy and that the goods on sale are highly overpriced and can be purchased at half the price in Mapusa market. But I don’t think so. Maybe they are available at a lesser price elsewhere but goods at this market especially casuals, were at same price as in fashion street Mumbai or Sarojini Nagar market, Delhi.

Like any other haat (weekly flea market), goods are bargainable to as low as 1/3rd of the original price. Though we bought a few items, I was amazed to see the skill foreigners had in bargaining. They were any day better than me !! One piece of small elephant in jade was quoted at 700 INR and had come down to 65 INR !

Traders from outside Goa, come to sell their goods. The most conspicuous of these being the Lamani tribal peoples of Karnataka. Easily recognizable by their striking, mirror bedecked clothing of which I’ll post a picture later.

History of this Wednesday Flee Market can be traced back to the 1970’s where the Hippies used to sell their articles while leaving the place.
It is one such place which offers the ultimate entertainment. Visitors can also get a trendy haircut done or try out the delicious Goan cuisines from this market. You can have fun, can go for an elephant ride and enjoy the snake charmers.
The market opens around 8 am and closes at 6 pm in the evening.

Related posts:- Goa.
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