Yep, I've got friends in town (Jeff & Sharon from Keizer, Oregon, USA) . . . . so it's time for me to [happily] be a tourist for a few weeks. Chatuchak Week-end Market anyone?
I'm really glad my friends came . . . I love Chatuchak ("JJ Market" to the locals). Here we have home-made coconut ice cream being served in the half shell.
Fire Dogs! A little flare and a little danger to bring in the customers.
We stopped for a hearty bowl of wak-fried squid eggs. Yummy!
So much to see & buy . . . and photograph at JJ Market.
Thai people are especially creative. JJ Market is a place to be surprised by wonderfully aesthetic product ideas.
I may go back for this while slatted cabinet . . . I have a perfect place for it.
Lots of creativity and fine light to be found in JJ Market.
Something for EVERYBODY!
Chatuchak Market is known for its miles and miles of narrow isles packed with thousands of stalls.
Absolutely everything is available. Most stalls carry only items designed and made by the proprietor.
In the dark depths of JJ Market there are special finds.
Hand-made shoes to die for.
Wonderful workmanship.
O.K., not everybody has the gift of commerce.
Interesting selection of items to sell: sling shots, back scratchers, salt, peanuts, fresh ginger, and curry sauce bags.
There is a lot to see outside the enclosed market area as well.
Back-lit plastic feet: what a great marketing idea.
Various sales approaches are on view . . . like this "Buy the damned dusters or else" method.
A young musician on a traditional Thai instrument making a little week-end cash.
Some Thai parents still cut their children's hair in the ancient styles. This style goes back a thousand years and can still be seen in the old temple paintings.
Lots of ways to try and make money at JJ Market.
Whatever is "hot" or "cool" anywhere in the world comes to JJ Market . . . the trend either starts here, or arrives here early in the coolness half life.
Lots of young travellers come to Thailand for the beaches and adventure. This is what they are wearing this year.
It wasn't n especially hot day, but we stopped for a cool drink at an old friend's bar, Viva, which had moved from its old JJ market spot. Lovely place with nice jazz music.
JJ market is a great place to go even if you don't buy anything; there are so many things to see.
Ceramic dogs or wicker reindeer . . . so many Christmas gift ideas.
A wind-up toy hawker.
Famous for his coffee. Notice the press clippings on his cart!
Tending stuff-on-a-stick (fish and pork balls).
Fried meat stand.
Red ball ice dessert anyone?
It is not easy to be blind in Thailand . . . or anywhere.
The neighborhood around JJ Market is alive with construction activity. Businessmen are keen to cash in on its popularity.