I had heard about the Friday Bazaar at Mapusa and visited it with my colleagues during our recent trip to Goa. For our visitors from abroad, these colourful, tight crammeg markets may be an attraction, but for Indians like us it is pretty much what we are used to. The market had its attractions, with fish, vegetables, sweets and decorative items sellers sitting cheek by bowl, selling their various purchases. One needs to bargain hard, but I saw most shop owners were content if one decided to pass on their shop. The reason for this is that they fell there are always tourists willing to pay top dollar for their stuff. Compared to what I heard, I felt the place was more hyped than substance. In the evening most shops closed early. Items such as cashews and Goan sweets such as Bebinca and Dodal were being sold at rates higher than most areas. If one has not seen a vibrane Indian bazaar, one can go here, else it can be avoided. There are a couple of small eateries where one can sample the local fare and that's about it.
