Photo: Christopher Anderson
Artisan Markets
Shop while you lime, lime while you shop by Roslyn Carrington
F
armers’ and artisans’ markets have been enjoying a Remember, though, to ensure you have the right approvals if boom here in Trinidad, with many open every weekend you want to take plants home. and others becoming highly anticipated, seasonal Soaps and body products are popular, many scented pleasures. with sensual aromatic oils. You can also choose From your very first visit it will become quite from a wide selection of jewellery made from clear that shoppers aren’t just there to snap copper, silver and gold, or try on handThe most up goodies at excellent prices. They’re painted or batik T-shirts, dresses and amazing thing about there for the “lime”, because these wraps. Buy a painting, or have your these markets is the markets have entrenched themselves portrait done. Take home a piece of Trini sheer range of products. into our social scene. Many markets art made from glass, metal, leather, or You can delight your inner have their regulars, who descend in wood. gourmand with products made happy groups, indulge their shopping Markets abound throughout the year, from fresh Caribbean fruit addictions, and then settle in to enjoy a so check our facebook page/website or and vegetables, including leisurely breakfast or lunch, listen to live or the press. jams, preserves, and icy recorded music, and while away a few hours • UpMarket — Once a month (more often smoothies. with friends. closer to Christmas) at the Woodbrook Youth The San Antonio Green Market, situated in the Centre or Country Club. Tel: 703-2169; lush Santa Cruz valley, is a favourite. You can sit on Email: upmarkettrinidad@gmail.com; wooden benches and sip fresh juices as hummingbirds flit past. • The San Antonio Green Market — Every Saturday and They often host interesting and informative guest lectures on Sunday, Saddle Road, Santa Cruz. Tel: (868) 221-9116; subjects from art to sustainability and organic farming. • So Oro Market Place — Every Sunday at the Tradewinds Hotel in UpMarket is one of the larger markets, where the gourmet St. Joseph Village as part of their Sunday breakfast. Tel: 323-4754; food is as much of a draw as the hand-made toiletries, art, craft, • NAMDEVCO Farmers’ Markets – Alternate weekends at and jewellery. Further south, you can try the So Oro Market the Queen’s Park Savannah, and weekly at Point Fortin, Debe, Place, where you can breakfast on Trini cuisine and patronise Chaguanas, Macoya, and Diego Martin. Tel: 645-9073; southern entrepreneurs. • UPick TT (The Farmacy) – Thursday to Sunday. Tel: 271-2681; Like pastries? You’ll find cookies so intricately hand• The Monthly Arts Market — Jerningham Avenue, Belmont, decorated, as well as pies, éclairs, macaroons, flans, kibbies or Port of Spain; maamoul. Sample coffee and cocoa from some of the world’s • The Eastern Market – JFK Auditorium, UWI, St. Augustine, most recognised varietals. Be a part of the chocolate revival; Tel: 726-2096; enjoy truffles made by hand at one of the many small cocoa • The South Market — Monthly in San Fernando. Tel: 733-3772; estates that are now cropping up. But don’t worry; you’re on • Bits and Pieces for Christmas — vacation, and indulgence is what it’s all about. an annual event, first Saturday in November. Tel: 681-8418; Those into flowers and plants can browse the stalls and learn • Trinidad and Tobago Mango Festival — more about our flora. If picking your own fruit and vegetables A celebration of all things mango! Annually every July. sounds like fun, visit UPick TT in Tucker Valley, Chaguaramas. Tel: 390-5340; Email: communications@nrwptt.net.
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SHOPPING 47