Oh Friday, dear Friday! Let’s have some food today! This week I’m featuring photograph from Chiang Mai Market in Thailand. I love food and when I read this story and could imagine being in the same situation as Ivana Greslikova and Gianni Bianchini from Nomad is Beautiful Blog! To find out more about their great stories and admire great pictures do follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Picture Story: Chiang Mai Market, Thailand
We do love setting off early in the morning to catch the atmosphere of towns “waking up”.
This particular day, we were on our feet since the early morning, wandering around the city and exploring Chinatown and Chiang Mai Market. We basically stopped every second to take pictures of street vendors unloading vans, cutting veggies, peeling fruits and selling their goods, animals playing on top of the tables, kids sleeping under the same tables, all in perfect street hectic harmony. Chiang Mai Market in the morning is like a hectic and spectacular show!
We were so busy and excited about the place that we did not realize how the time was flying and how far we were from the place where we planned to have lunch.
Suddenly, the early afternoon sunlight got so bright and strong that we just had to escape into the shade and eat something. We entered the Warorot Market in hopes of finding something, anything, to eat. Surprisingly, at that time of day. There were no noodles, rice or sweet potatoes, as we imagined. We found great variety of tea and nuts, though, and we bought a pu-erh tea, which we later realized was a fake.
While we were strolling among the aisles of mushrooms, teas, dried fruits, nuts and herbs. We found this girl eating her lunch, squeezed between the produce she was selling.
She was so focused on checking her mobile that she was putting the food into her mouth on autopilot, not seeing or hearing anything around her.
After we took this picture of her, we approached her and asked her with gestures where we could find some food. She misunderstood us in the cutest possible way and offered us a taste of her meal. We stared at her for a second, amazed, before thanking her and gesturing again to ask if there was a stall to get the same food.
Finally, she got it and pointed to a tiny place hidden downstairs behind the aisles, where only locals were eating. We almost jumped on the small plastic chairs while waiting for one of the best soup ever here in Chiang Mai Market.
Delicious, tasty, spicy, and served with the cook’s love and a smile.
For the Photo Lens Affair competition this one is my favourite, because it is such a common sight in Asia and really represents the area and the people. Theres so much life and people at the markets, especially in Thailand.. Its great to capture a moment so natural as is this one :)
Jasmine recently posted…Cost of living in Hong Kong vs Melbourne
Oh market, glorious markets! You can never get bored of them, best spots to observe life of locals!
Marysia recently posted…100 Friday Lens Affair Anniversary
Great picture!
:)
Marysia recently posted…Friday Lens Affair #64
Welcome to Chiang Mai! The markets are a lot of fun. If you want any recommendations, I’m happy to share our favorite spots—though from the comments it sounds like you’re no longer still here.
I myself have been there many many years ago, but Ivana and Gianni who are authors of the picture…to be honest I’m not sure, they are somewhere with low internet now I think :)
Marysia recently posted…Friday Lens Affair #63
Thanks Jade, we left Chiang Mai in January. Enjoy your time there :)
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
What a cool story! How nice that she was willing to share her food. Pretty friendly!
Thank you Tamika! the girl was indeed lovely :)
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
That’s a great shot. A little sad to me, too.
Deb, do tell me why you find it sad? It is very interesting….
Marysia recently posted…Glasgow – Shopping till you drop!?
Hi Deb, her appetite and vibe was not sad at all, but it’s interesting how another person can perceive the photo. Thanks.
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
That’s a cute photo, glad you managed to find a great spot to eat. Also great in that its where the locals eat rather than some stuff some may fob off to tourists. I am gutted that my friend is moving back from Thailand before I managed to visit but I would still love to visit in the very new future.
Yes, it is a big shame that you didn’t managed to visit before your friend move out but I always like to say what is postponed is not lost!
Marysia recently posted…Glasgow – Shopping till you drop!?
Hi Bianca,
if you have a chance, do visit Thailand :) yeah, a place where locals eat guarantees a good choice (99%) !
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
That is so sweet that she offered you her own food! Great photo and story!
Lauren recently posted…Caribbean Cruise – Downtown Oranjestad, Aruba (Day 8)
Yet again I’m gonna underline that it is part of culture and indeed, very nice culture :)
Marysia recently posted…A mini guide to Banaue, the Philippines
Thanks, Lauren. Glad you like it :)
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
Loved your description of the Chiang Mai markets. My husband and I were there this past summer and really enjoyed walking through them. The story of the women offering you her food is so sweet!
I love markets and the main reason is a possibility to observe people and their everyday life!
Marysia recently posted…A mini guide to Banaue, the Philippines
Hi Erica! So nice to hear from other travelers they love exploring Chiang Mai’s markets. We loved them!
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
I love Chiang Mai, and I love a great market…so yes…love this photo!
Corinne recently posted…Singapore’s Signature Dish – The Chili Crab
I can see we are on the same page! :)
Marysia recently posted…A mini guide to Banaue, the Philippines
Hi Corinne, many many thanks :)
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
Amazing Market and girl with her lunch is looking great!!!
I wouldn’t mind having this soup now myself! ;)
Marysia recently posted…A mini guide to Banaue, the Philippines
She was really a great photo subject !
Ivana recently posted…Mindful and Beautiful Places: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Really love this picture – can’t wait to go to Thailand!
Ashley recently posted…Five Ways to Spring into Nashville
Thailand was great! I have been couple of times and really Chiang Mai was my favourite region of it :)
Marysia recently posted…A mini guide to Banaue, the Philippines
You are going to love it, Ashley :)
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
Brilliant picture! It really sums up a lot of memories of markets in Asia for me :)
Caitlyn recently posted…A traverse around Triglav
I’m glad that it brings you good memories! I love when pictures make you feel better :)
Marysia recently posted…A mini guide to Banaue, the Philippines
Hi Caitlyn, nice to hear that! Markets in Asia have become one of our most favourite spots in towns, villages or metropolises!
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
Great shots! Thanks for sharing! We visited Chiang Mai 4 years ago and loved it!
The Crowded Planet recently posted…Jordan Road Trip
Yes Chiang Mai is great, I have visited many many years ago but it was really nice indeed!
Marysia recently posted…Austria Picture Gallery
Thanks! I am curious how was Chiang Mai 4 years ago and how it’s gonna be in 4 years :) Already now people tell us it is changing in some ways…
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
I love Ivana & Gianni’s blog! And this story illustrates why. Story like this is exactly what I always look for and hope to find on my travels. Something totally local and authentic. Glad to hear the soup was delicious and served with a smile.
frankaboutcroatia recently posted…What to do in Croatia in spring
Well said, very well said! :)
Marysia recently posted…Austria Picture Gallery
Franks, thank you very much. That’s so kind of you :)
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
That’s awesome that the market girl was willing to share her food. I’m wondering what was going through her mind.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…A Rat the Size of a Toddler and other Australian Animal Lessons
I think such things are behaviours are quiet normal in many parts of the world. People are just welcoming and very hospitable, it is in their culture!
Marysia recently posted…Austria Picture Gallery
You are right, Marysia, the people here in SE Asia are very generous and just love to share!
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand
Hi Michele, she was great, and probably we had a really hungry expressions in our eyes when she saw us :D
Ivana recently posted…Why, Where and How to Help Elephants in Thailand