Fever at the Market
Place

Over the weekend, I’d made plans to go get “custom” which is
henna design with nails painted. Achut came to pick me up and Deng (our driver)
drove us over to the Konyokonyo outdoor market place. I had sneezed a few times
on the way and thought it had been allergies. However, as soon as we got to the
market, I began to feel warm. Not the warmth of the sun beating down, nor the
warmth of a “personal summer” or hot flash: this was a slow warming. The heat
was rising up from just below the surface of my skin and swirling about in my mouth.
I knew something was not right but, I pressed on and made the following
observations as I sat in the chair with the surly Somali lady twisting my leg
this and that way trying to get me to hold still as she applied the henna.

Market fashion – A
parade of colors and styles. Long dresses with African print, skinny jeans and
slinky tops, and an array of fully covered Islamic-wear with beads and sequin. Lanky
women with perfectly round heads atop slender ebony cylinders – smooth and
glistening, were strutting with what seemed to be no cares at all. Hair cut low
and natural, braided with precision, or with red-tipped weaves – showing off
the variety of beauty.

Strength of Women
– Carrying a 15 pound sack of corn on top of head, walking with bagged stock
pots full of stew in each hand all the while navigating the murky pathway with
grace in flip-flops. Women carrying their luggage on their heads with a baby
strapped to their backs. Pregnant women everywhere!!

Languages –
Arabic, English, Dinka, Swahili, Amharic…thinking that South Sudan should open
a language institute…or maybe the Madings.

After walking around the entire market, think San Jose Flea
Market or the Oakland Flea Market, I finally got some fruit to help my body
combat the fever that was slowly taking over my body. Even in my weakened
state, I was quick to snap a few pics for y’all. When I go back, I will not be
as timid as I was on my initial visit.

Hope you enjoy them!