The Matador Network wrote a post recently about farmers markets around the world, from Dane County Farmer's Market in Seattle to Mercado Central in Valencia, Spain, and Rialto Markets in Venice, Italy.
I'm a fan of food browsing. I love walking up and down every aisle of shops in other countries to check out unfamiliar products, the foreign-language packaging of familiar products and tasty foods that could be gifts to bring home.
Yet I have mixed feelings about visiting farmers markets when traveling. With no kitchen, I can't do anything with the gorgeous fruits and vegetables I spot.
On the other hand, these markets are places where locals shop, and they often feel less touristy than other places in highly visited cities. And there are often nonfood items for purchase, including handmade items. Knitted scarves. Ceramic mugs. Framed drawings.
In rural areas, the markets are a window into the culture and offer an education in the types of strange and wonderful produce people there eat. Produce that won't ever make it to my local supermarket.
Markets also can make for great photos. One of the markets I perused in Kilkenny, Ireland, was within spitting distance of the town's medieval castle. When I was walking around town, I was drawn immediately to the vendors' tables and the bright colors of fresh vegetables.
Markets can also be places where solo travelers feel comfortable striking up conversations with local residents because vendors who aren't busy typically are open to chatting.
Photo by Ellen Perlman: Ceramic mugs at a farmer's market in Kilkenny, Ireland.
The best photos I've ever taken have been in markets. The colors just pop. And sometimes you can even find something to take away and eat...
Posted by: Clark Norton | October 31, 2018 at 10:08 AM