Bridging the global gap, Goa has hosted several exhibitions that allow people from all over the world to bring their market to the people of Goa, and there’s one such currently on.
Setting foot at the Thailand International Shopping festival at the Taleigao Community Hall in Taleigao, people were greeted with a monetary welcome fee of ₹30, after which they saw different furniture setups that gradually transitioned into scenes resembling marketplaces in Thailand, Afghanistan, Uganda, Iran and Turkey, but of course, on a much smaller scale.
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Asha Naiga is on her first trip to Goa and has a stall at the festival. “My name is Asha, and I’m from Uganda in East Africa,” smiles the Ugandan beauty.
Like many others, Asha travelled to Goa to set up a stall at the festival and sold several handmade products such as bracelets, keychains, bookmarks, paintings and more from Uganda.
“The response has been great,” she smiles again, before proceeding to explain how in the past, several Goans had migrated to Africa from Goa and today, were delighted to purchase the items that Asha was selling. For them, it was a trip down memory lane.
TAKE ME TO TURKEY
A well-illuminated pathway, the breathtaking mosaic light chandeliers that were hanging at Krishan Tiwaris shop had passersby in awe.
Handcrafted all the way in Istanbul, Turkey, he says that he has come to Goa six times already and recalls setting up stall at an exhibition at the Shyama Prasad Mukerjee stadium in Bambolim.
His prices range from ₹700 onwards. But, although he has some of the most beautiful ornaments at the venue, he says that the sales response has been average.
CARE FOR A DATE?
Just another corner away, Rohulah from Iran sells melt-in-the-mouth dates, saffron, elaichi, gem stones and more.
“Very nice, very nice people, this is my first time coming to Goa,” said the kind gentleman in his Middle Eastern accent. He, among many others, says that he likes the people of Goa as he hands out a date that he is sure will make people purchase a kilo or more!