Queens of the mobile market
Published:Sunday | September 26, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Rasbert Turner, Sunday Gleaner Writer
Clip-clopping their way along Old Harbour Road in St Catherine, it's hard to miss them. Joyce Simpson, 56, and Gloria McCalla, 65, make an unstoppable pair as they travel about on their trusty donkeys selling produce to customers in different towns.
"What unnu buying today from we? Come look man, everyting in di hamper dem. Come look fi unnu self," shouted McCalla.
They stand out like a sore thumb as cars, buses and trucks speed by, but that only works in their favour - more potential customers taking notice.
"We sell everything. Pumpkin, yam, potato, dasheen, banana, peas and just about anything you get at the market, " Simpson said.
Over 20 years' service
The pair give new meaning to the term 'mobile market' but have been making the rounds as a travelling marketplace for more than 20 years.
"It is long, long time dem two lady ah supply the community wid goods, even when the time rainy, dem really strong, man," said Marcus Humphrey, a customer.
McCalla said the fact that they are offering a unique service gives the pair a great advantage.
" Is the vending mi use fi take care of my children and even mi husband who is now sick," the mother of 11 said.
Both women are from Cherry district in Kitson Town, St Catherine.
They told The Sunday Gleaner that they make the more-than-10-mile journey to Old Harbour on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Both women say the journey starts about 8:30 a.m. and they return home at night.
These vendors say although it is hard work, the feeling of fulfilment they get from doing it allows them to continue using the beasts of burden to make a livelihood.
As they navigated the traffic, the donkeys were spurred on with the words, "Jack! Jack!"