Let's Take a Trip to the Market

While in Thailand (or traveling anywhere for that matter) one of my favorite things was walking to the market and looking at all the different produce, handicrafts, or other random products being sold. While in Chiang Mai, we explored several different open air markets many of which were open exclusively at night.

The most interesting were the local produce markets. They are all open air and consist of rows and rows of bins offering fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, curry pastes, and any other category of food you can dream up.

Dragon fruit

First time to see a banana bunch shaped like this

Green curry paste, red curry paste, massaman curry paste, panang curry paste...

Lots of varieties of rice

These are bugs, for sale, to eat. I did not have the chance to try any though

Next were the touristy markets where vendors sold "Thai style" wares to visitors on the hunt for fun souveniors.

Bartering for Thai Silk scarves

At one of the these night markets we found a booth offering the fish foot therapy. So of course, Tricia and I signed right up! We got our feet cleaned and stuck 'em down in the tank full of tiny fishes for 15 minutes. That 15 minutes took so much discipline! It was painfully ticklish to feel all those little fishies gnawing at our feet. But it was a lot of fun. Not only were our feet being exfoliated, but we spent the first solid ten minutes cracking up with laughter so we also got a great little ab workout.

A stage was set up at one of the night markets that had a lineup of performances every night. Pictured here is a duo that were doing a traditional Thai dance inspired by some special bird.