As anyone who is familiar with my blog knows I am a huge fan of visiting local food markets when I travel and as I still had a bit of time to kill before I met up with D&G to make the journey down to Galle I decided that I would visit Pettah which houses some of the city’s main fruit and vegetable markets.
One of the things I enjoy the most about visiting markets such as this is that you get an intriguing glimpse into local life and as I was expecting, the market in Colombo did not disappoint. In many ways it’s an assault on the senses; a cacophony of noise with people bartering down prices and market trades people doing their best to attract you to their stall over their rivals.
Huge bunches of bananas, pineapples and watermelons lined the walkway, leafy green vegetables, all manner of gourds and juicy ripe tomatoes at 30 cents a kilo and let’s not forget the local specialties like dried fish or eye wateringly fiery chilies piled high on rickety table tops. Old men sat in the front of their brightly decorated delivery vans whilst the nippier youngsters wove in and out of passing vehicles to deliver or collect their goods and street dogs and cats lazed in the late afternoon heat, nestled in amongst the discarded fruits and vegetables.
The traffic outside was beginning to get worse and I could hear the rhythmic beating of drums which was what alerted me to the religious procession headed up by an elephant casually strolling down the main street followed by extravagantly dressed ladies and car loads of fervent believers and I felt really thankful for being able to witness such an interesting spectacle in the short time I had spent in Colombo.
A British Girl Abroad 
Love markets. A long time since I went to Sri Lanka. Would love to return.
Oh I know they are just spectacular! I loved Sri Lanka, could have spent months traveling around!
I’m a market lover too.
Such beautiful colours from the foods and spices!
Thanks! Yes it was a small market but really vibrant!