Yesterday was Valentine's, and I had planned to take myself out on a treat just to celebrate the day, but I changed my mind on Thursday night and chose to prepare something special the next day. The next morning, I did all my tasks on time including making a post, took my bath and got dressed for the market to get the ingredients ready.
It was a soup I hadn't eaten for a very long time, and I'd been craving it all through the week until I finally decided to take action before it disappeared from my mind. As I was going to step out, I checked my purse, thinking there was some money there, I only had a little amount which could convey me to the market so that I could withdraw from the POS and start my shopping.
I got down from a bike and went straight to a shop and withdrew the amount that would be enough to get the items.
I usually visit this market whenever I need to get a few items, like small ingredients for my meal for the week, but when it comes to buying in large quantities, I go to the big market. This is because at the mini market, though you might get a few stuff, it can't be compared to the main market where a lot of people get most of what they need, more at a cheaper price.
After withdrawing my money, the first place I stopped was buying beans from this Mallam (hausa guy). The price was cheaper, so I bought half a bowl of beans.
I don't like buying lots at home so it doesn't get spoiled. I usually cook beans once every 2 weeks or a month, and I prefer buying in small quantities to buying in bulk.
The next stop was at the cow's skin seller, then the meat seller.
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Whenever I am buying cow's skin, I go for the thick ones. Though they are expensive, they are worth it. There were 4 women on the same line, but I chose to go to the second woman because her own were good and enticing, and they were what I wanted. Others kept calling me to buy from them, but I know who to patronise, especially if you are looking for the good ones. Then, I moved just a few steps to the meat seller. I met some customers before me. I had to wait a bit before I was attended to. The meat was okay and just what I liked.
Next on my list was pepper and onions. I have a vendor for this already because he sells well for me. He's a Hausa guy who is also kind in his business.
When it comes to buying pepper, I would rather buy from a Hausa person than from my tribe because they are good and their peppers are much. They would even add more for you than the Yoruba people. When he saw me, he smiled because he had already recognised me and he also did me well, too. I bought some peppers and onions from him, then moved to buy other things before finally buying watermelon fruit.
When I was sure of getting everything on my list, I decided to walk a few minutes down the main road to get my bathing soap in a supermarket. I wanted to take a bike as the sun was hot, but they wanted to take advantage to bill me higher. I thought, "Why not trek and use the opportunity to take some random pictures?" So, I did.
Well, I ended up not taking any pictures again because I was careful on the small busy road. I walked for like 10 minutes to the supermarket.
As I entered, I headed straight to the bathing soap section and picked 3 soaps. I use Dove soap and would buy more than 2 or 3 sometimes. The reason is that I wouldn't want a situation where I would be coming out often.
I've been a regular customer here and getting whatever I needed isn't much stress for me as I could easily find them where they are sectioned as the place is also small. I picked a few items — cotton buds, morning fresh soap for washing dishes and a chilled maltina. I used the opportunity to take more pictures.
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I packed my purchased items to the cashier section. My money was calculated, I paid and left.
When I got home, the first thing I did was to drink the maltina, a few minutes later, I took my watermelon, gained enough strength and began to prepare my meal which lasted more than 3 hours. I have compiled the whole process of the special meal in a video and will be posting it tomorrow. Stay tuned for it😋
...and that was how my Friday went. Celebrating Valentine's Day was fun and amazing, treating myself to a meal I could have spent a few thousand naira at one sitting in a restaurant but decided to prepare at home and still have more that will last me through a few days.
All pictures are mine and taken with my iPhone XS
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