Markets around the World
The Floating Markets of Bangkok
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a city of contrasts. The tall glass buildings look like any other city. But behind them is a place where life hasn’t changed for over 100 years – the canals. Built in 1866 by the King of Thailand, these canals are home to many Thai People who still live and work there today. There are four floating markets around Bangkok and the oldest and most popular is in the town of Damnoen Saduak.
This market opens every day from 6.30 a.m. It’s best to shop early and go by water taxi. After 9 a.m. the tourist buses arrive, and it’s much too busy.
It’s a colorful, noisy, fascinating place. Old ladies with huge hats sit in small boats, filled with tropical fruit and vegetables, fresh coconut juice and local food. Did you miss your breakfast? Then just call a seller for a bowl of hot soup. He’ll get it from a cooker at the back of his boat!
But the boats don’t just sell food. Would you like a traditional hat? A silk dress? A flowered shirt? Then just call and point. After the noise and excitement of the market, continue along the canal. Soon you’ll see the wooden houses, orchards, and floating flowers of the canal villages. It’s a lovely, peaceful way to finish your trip.
A Perfect Day in Provence
Every Sunday in a small town called Isle-sur-la-Sourge in Southern France there is a truly amazing market. Isle-sur-la-Sourge is like Venice.The river Sorgue runs in and out of the old narrow streets and under the many bridges, and on market day every street and bridge is packed with stalls. From early morning, this sleepy little town becomes a noisy, busy place, with sellers calling to you in the singing accent of the south.
You can choose from an amazing selection of olives, hundreds of cheeses, and delicious roast chickens. But it is not just a food market. Antique sellers fill the pavements with beautiful old French old furniture, and there are tables covered with antique lace and cloth. Flower sellers invite you to pick from their brightly colored bunches of flowers. The air is filled with the smell of soaps, herbs, and lavender, all made and grown in Provence. Do you need a sun hat? Did you forget your beach towel? Your choices are endless.
Travellers fill their backpacks with delicious things for Sunday lunch: olive bread, tomatoes, ham, melon, and, of course, a bottle of local rose wine. At 1 o’clock everything closes, and everyone goes home. Then it’s time to find a cool place next to the river for a perfect picnic on a perfect day in Provence.
The Souks of Marrakech
Marrakech in Morocco looks like a Hollywood film set. It is a city of ancient, sand-colored buildings and palm trees in the middle of the desert.
In the centre is the main square, Jemaa el Fna. Here you can see dancing snakes and drink Moroccan coffee. But behind the square is the real heart of the city. This is the souk (the Arab word for market). Hundreds of little shops and stalls are open from early morning till lunchtime, and again in the evening. The souk, with its narrow, busy streets, is divided into lots of smaller souks. There’s the aromatic spice souk, the noisy meat souk, the colourful clothing souk, the gold and silver souk, and many more.
Finally, there’s the carpet souk. Here, hundreds of handmade Moroccan rugs and carpets cover the pavements. No two rugs are the same. In Mr Youssaf’s rug shop, he invites you to sit down among all the beautiful carpets. A silver teapot arrives with little glasses and Mr Youssaf talks about the different rugs, while his assistants roll them out one by one. Two hours later, after many glasses of traditional mint tea and lots of bargaining, you finally choose your rug and leave much poorer. Then it’s time to return to the main square to watch the snakes and count your money.
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