Who doesn’t love to visit local markets while traveling? Sure you have your usual souvenir suspects: shot glasses, t-shirts, caps, the list goes on. But my favorite is always the local craft, especially when the person who created the item is also the person selling it. The item just seems to have more meaning.
On a recent trip to the Bahamas, I visited the Straw Market. The largest of its kind in the world, the Straw Market houses some 200 vendors selling everything from those ubiquitous tourist t-shirts and counterfeit handbags to figurines and toys.
On a recent trip to the Bahamas, I visited the Straw Market. The largest of its kind in the world, the Straw Market houses some 200 vendors selling everything from those ubiquitous tourist t-shirts and counterfeit handbags to figurines and toys.But just past that knockoff “status” bag, you will find the most prominent of all the items. They are the bags, hats, fans and baskets all made from colorful straw, and their purveyors working tirelessly on these items.
These are the indie-pendent craftepreneurs of the Straw Market. Tourism is the most viable industry of the Bahamas and these craftepreneurs are ready (and eager!) to provide a personalized straw item on-the-spot! For many of the vendors at the Straw Market, this is their primary means of income. You can find them stitching dried palm and sisal plants, which are sometimes dyed, to create beautiful and useful souvenirs every day of the week.
These are the indie-pendent craftepreneurs of the Straw Market. Tourism is the most viable industry of the Bahamas and these craftepreneurs are ready (and eager!) to provide a personalized straw item on-the-spot! For many of the vendors at the Straw Market, this is their primary means of income. You can find them stitching dried palm and sisal plants, which are sometimes dyed, to create beautiful and useful souvenirs every day of the week.
At this market, I also found someone who created toys from recycled soda cans.
A fun day out, the Straw Market in Nassau, The Bahamas is definitely worth the trip!
All text and images
©Lorina Pellach Ladrillono 2008
All text and images
©Lorina Pellach Ladrillono 2008
5 comments:
Just stumbled upon your blog. Very nice! Love the straw items and the recycled soda can toys.
I'd like to invite you to contribute an "Indie Star" feature to http://www.Indiepreneur.org about the contacts you made in the Bahamas.
Good good good......
I hadn't even considered this as an added bonus in traveling. You've just opened up a world of possibilities :)
Excellent article and very inspiring. I will definitely look out for some handmade local crafts on my next adventure.
I visited Nasau this past weekend. It was great. The straw market is crowded but amazing. These people are soo talented. I just wish i had a touch of that talent. Beautiful bags and gifts. Wish I had bought more.
Post a Comment