SeroFero 8 - Kalimati

Vegetable is the first thing that goes into everyone's mind while talking about Kalimati. Yes, there is something magical walking around the bustling Kalimati market. The market is a symbol of our society - the freshness of product and lousy management. Nevertheless, shopping at Kalimati market is full of joy and exhilarating.

The market reminds me of my childhood in our agricultural farm, rows of cabbage, carrots and a little hut in the middle of that field. My father used to stakeup vegetables all day to sell them in the market the next day. We used to help him with the little we can - with more distrubances him. I vividly remember we pulled carrots from the piles and would eat them. Whenever I see kids in the market 'helping' their parents, I can resemble my story with them.

Walking through the market is an adventure in itself. Everywhere I look, there are mountains of fresh, seasonal vegetables stacked high— cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes and many more. The hussle and bussle of buyers and sellers are rhythmic - frequently interrupted by the bypasses in the narrow passage in between.

One of the joys of shopping at Kalimati is that the price is mostly fixed. And the price is almost half of retailer's price outside. But the minimum amount is 1 dhhak (5 kg). It is not a bad deal. Going around and finding the best vegetable is amazing. It is also about the experience, the human connection, and the satisfaction of knowing you got the freshest ingredients.

Last Saturday, after an hour of weaving through the stalls, we filled our bags with vegetables that would last a week—cauliflower, cabbage, eggplants, leafy greens, and more. We were happy that how much we were getting for the price. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive.

While the market has its undeniable charm, it is messy. The pathways aren’t the cleanest, and parking is chaotic, making it a big challenge to navigate. This is one small part of who we are as a whole society. We can not have one well managed market when everything is disordered. The problem is much bigger than fixing one market. Despite these inconveniences, I think, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Kalimati market is filled with freshness, affordable and humane. The choices are unlimited and there is always possibility of a bit of negotiation and connection with vendors. I highly recommend everyone to discover the local vegetable market with a lens of joy. And who knows? It might just inspire to eat more vegetables too!

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