There are two kinds of shopping in Paradise. The stuff that you take back with you, and the stuff that you use on island. You can find out about the former in travel brochures. I’m writing about the latter. If you want what the islanders produce, go where the locals shop.
Saturday mornings are the best time to check out The Market. Situated in Charlotte Amalie, Market Square’s newest addition is the renovated Sanderilla Thomas Bungalow. The old structure collapsed in 2003 after being struck by a tractor trailer-it took over a million dollars and 4 years to rebuild it using the original roof in a new steel-reinforced design.
Get an early start - the market opens at sunrise. Vendors line the streets with homemade jams and jellies, spices and sauces. Fresh seasonal produce is plentiful and priced to sell quickly (It takes a day to go from raw to overripe in the tropical heat) Tropical fruits and vegetables are usually smaller than the mainland counterparts, but the deep colors and concentrated flavors are a treat for the senses. Talk to the vendors if you see something unusual, and you will get a story and a recipe to go with your purchase.
Harvesting the best of land and sea, the French community (or Frenchies, as they are known locally) carries on the traditions of early European settlers. Seasoned divers even go free diving for lobster off the ocean floor. Fishermen sell fish off the dock. Seafood sells quickly, so the early shopper gets the best catch of the day. Beware of ciguetera toxin in the large reef fish. It is safer to buy pellagic fish (free-ocean swimmers, like tuna) or the catch from the north side of the islands.
During the week, roadside stands and carts sell local produce all over the islands. It is not unusual to see a car stopped in the middle of the road, while someone makes a quick purchase (or waits for a stray goat or chicken to cross the road).
What if you miss big-city shopping? There are no shopping malls in Paradise. If you need household supplies, you simply can’t do better than K-Mart!! It’s enough to make you go postal, and order from a catalog.
Saturday mornings are the best time to check out The Market. Situated in Charlotte Amalie, Market Square’s newest addition is the renovated Sanderilla Thomas Bungalow. The old structure collapsed in 2003 after being struck by a tractor trailer-it took over a million dollars and 4 years to rebuild it using the original roof in a new steel-reinforced design.
Get an early start - the market opens at sunrise. Vendors line the streets with homemade jams and jellies, spices and sauces. Fresh seasonal produce is plentiful and priced to sell quickly (It takes a day to go from raw to overripe in the tropical heat) Tropical fruits and vegetables are usually smaller than the mainland counterparts, but the deep colors and concentrated flavors are a treat for the senses. Talk to the vendors if you see something unusual, and you will get a story and a recipe to go with your purchase.
Harvesting the best of land and sea, the French community (or Frenchies, as they are known locally) carries on the traditions of early European settlers. Seasoned divers even go free diving for lobster off the ocean floor. Fishermen sell fish off the dock. Seafood sells quickly, so the early shopper gets the best catch of the day. Beware of ciguetera toxin in the large reef fish. It is safer to buy pellagic fish (free-ocean swimmers, like tuna) or the catch from the north side of the islands.
During the week, roadside stands and carts sell local produce all over the islands. It is not unusual to see a car stopped in the middle of the road, while someone makes a quick purchase (or waits for a stray goat or chicken to cross the road).
What if you miss big-city shopping? There are no shopping malls in Paradise. If you need household supplies, you simply can’t do better than K-Mart!! It’s enough to make you go postal, and order from a catalog.
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