Micro-sidewalk: Special Marigot Market

If it was once a must-see in Saint Martin, the Marigot market has now lost its splendor. However, it wouldn't take much for him to find her. Meet some of his incredible women who, despite the obstacles and adversities at the start of the tourist season, are working hard to restore the market to its magic of yesteryear.

However, it had picked up well and the trend has been violently reversed since the blockages and scuffles of recent times, we are doing almost nothing in terms of numbers. With six boats in the port at the start of December, we had done a good job on the market. Today, we barely make a sale when there are three cruise ships. At the moment, cruise passengers are told not to come from the French side because it is dangerous, when not at all! As far as the structure is concerned, the Collectivity has planned to start work on fitting out a covered market in 4 or 5 years, but we need improvement now. When you look around you, it doesn't make you want, the rutted sidewalks and broken steps, the tarpaulins in shambles, it's deplorable, while the market is joyful, colorful! Hortense

It's hard but I want to continue to believe in it, that it will take off. It is such a beautiful island, I have been in this market for 28 years and I will not lie, I I'm angry because I have the impression that we are the last wheel of the plow, I come to believe that there would be inclinations to harm us, it's sad. The Marigot market was one of the most beautiful markets in the Caribbean, and nowadays, we pity each other, congratulating each other on having been able to make a sale of 20 dollars on the morning. The Collectivity completely misses the market potential, forgetting that Saint Martin is a tourist island. No one takes care, for example, of providing parking for tourist buses so that they can park. People love the market but it would take a foundation and that doesn't seem possible with the current power in place, everyone wants to put their two cents in and in the end, no one is fighting for us. Nicole

It's a bit average to tell the truth, it's starting to go up a little again, although we had good days at the beginning of December. And then there were all the worries at Sandy Ground, the crowds in the market suddenly dropped and hasn't picked up since then it's over. At the moment it is very calm. I think this is due to the fact that there is always the fear of coming because of the protests and blockages that have taken place lately, the wrong message is still circulating. So for now and especially this week, it's really difficult. But I still hope that the situation improves, we must keep hope, always! María Rosal (Fernán‐Núñez, Córdoba, 1961) is a complete writer. She has published children's theatre, has received the Andalusian Critics' Award (2004), the Children's Poetry Award (2007) and the José Hierro National Poetry Award for Carmín rojo sangre (2015). Her poetic work has been translated into English, Italian and Greek.<br/> <br/> This is her second book for children in edebé, after the funniest title, El secreto de las patatas fritas.<br/> <br/> Maria has a very funny sense of humour.

It had started well, and the blockages ended. Rumors too. When we assume that the boats are 60% full and that there are only two buses that come to Marigot, there is reason to ask questions. There should be good advertising on the boats and on the buses, the tour operators are misinformed or choose to tell cruise passengers not to come. While the tourists we meet are happy, despite the lack of structure, such as the toilets for example, we petitioned the Community to reopen them, and nothing. We are losing customers, undoubtedly. Ditto for the parking lot, it is full of cars when there should be barriers to accommodate the buses, as before, that tourists expected and welcome. I've been here for 27 years and I firmly believe in this market but that the Collectivity is doing its part, out of pity. Because we feel forgotten. Nanou