Mercato, Addis Ababa

The Addis Ababa Mercato is the largest open-air market across the African continent. Winding through its labyrinthine alleys, one can procure anything imaginable, from budget electronics to exotic fruits. In this vast expanse, products serve as the only reliable landmarks, for there exists no map to navigate the expansive trading hub. Amidst the bustling chaos, one discerns their whereabouts by the goods on offer – spices, papayas, mangoes, lemons, oranges, pomegranates, passion fruits, alongside lamb, beef, intricately carved crafts, and a multitude of jewelry stalls. Among them, over a hundred coffee merchants vie for attention, each proudly showcasing their regional blends.

Within the Mercato, merchants perch atop small three-legged stools or makeshift burlap mats amidst towering mounds of grains and spices. The market's fresh produce predominantly hails from small plots just outside or within Addis Ababa, tended to by urban residents and transported to the market by foot or atop vehicles. Children navigate through the throngs, carrying goods in large baskets balanced precariously atop their heads.