Markets are one of the oldest institutions in the world. Before supermarkets and chain stores, communities came together at streets and squares to buy what they need. They were a place of trade and gossip.
I love visiting markets when I travel. There are those that exist now more as a tourist attraction, such as Pike Place in Seattle or even Salamanca in Hobart, Tasmania. But others remain an insight into their community and the daily or weekly routine of stall holders and their customers.
They are also usually great places to buy local produce and goods at a much better price than you’ll find in a store.
Every week, Twitter users and bloggers take part in #FriFotos, sharing there photos that fit that week’s theme, which today is markets. I’ve never taken part before, but my habit of visiting markets around the world means I have so many photos of stuff on tables. Today seemed like a good time for my first #FriFotos post.
From Beijing to Bruges to Saskatoon to Gent – here are some of my favourite photos from markets I’ve visited on my travels.
What a lonely job this must be – a woman waits for customers at a food market outside Hoi An, Vietnam.
Beautiful clock lockets at a small market near Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof station.
Finally – a place in Bruges where the crowd is mostly residents, not tourists: The Saturday Morning Market near ‘t Zand Square.The Night Market in Beijing is just as much a regular stop for locals as it is a sight to see for tourists.The locals have a way of doing things at the Kouter Flower Market in Gent. They start with an espresso at the stall pictured, browse the flowers, then finish at another stall for oysters and champagne.
The fish throwing is famous at Seattle’s Pike Place Market
Yum…fresh oysters at Montreal’s Jean-Talon market.
I wonder how many people end up with a pair of these after someone they know visits Italy. These shorts were everywhere in Florence.
A market-goer tucks into a dessert at the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market in Canada.
An elderly woman cuts flowers at a street market along the river in Takayama, Japan
Beijing’s Night Market has the most bizarre selection of foods. These starfish sat alongside insects and scorpions.
I’d never seen flowers like this before. These were at the Kouter Flower Market in Gent.
People line up for bread at the Saturday morning market in ‘t Zand Square in Bruges.
Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen. Watching the tuna auctions is great fun.
Gorgeous glowers at the Kouter Flower Market in Gent. If only I was in town for more than one night. I would have bought some.
A woman warms up with a hot drink, most likely tea, at a street market in Takayama, a mountain town in Japan
I love how fruit and flowers make markets so colourful. These bananas we hanging in Montreal’s Jean-Talon market.
The Saskatoon Farmer’s Market was filled with homemade preserves and baking, but the smell of fresh coffee overpowered them all.
Dried fish and some other items I wasn’t game to try at a market in Osaka Japan.
What’s your favourite market? Which photo do you like best?
Pegs on the Line is a collection of stories about places, people and experiences around the world. It's written by Megan Dingwall, an Australian journalist with an insatiable curiosity. Available to answer questions such as is Tasmania a real place (yes) and do Tassie devils spin (no).
4 Comments
Oh my goodness I would love those shorts hahahaha!!
Any knick knack markets for the Galpins?? 😉
Haha! I took lots of photos of them intending to do a post about all the penis souvenirs, but it never happened.
really cool pic’s Meg! i love the Berlin one… and those shorts! 😉
Thank you! That market in Berlin was where I tried currywurst for the first time.