Colourful Markets around the World

I have mentioned this a few times before - I simply love markets, and I try to visit one wherever and whenever I can. Not the supermarkets, but the old fashioned 'wet' or open markets. They are just teeming with local life and culture.

One book I love is The World's Markets by John Brunton (published by Page One, 2010). I know I will not be able to visit all the fabulous markets there are on this planet, but at least I can ogle at the colourful pictures of the markets in this book.

What is it about markets that fascinate so much? Let me quote Brunton in his introduction. 'Step even fleetingly into the middle of a market in any country in the world. In just a few minutes, it will paint you a picture in broad, colourful strokes - not just of the cornucopia of food piled on the stalls, but of a dazzling slice of life encompassing traditional dress, culture and religion, transport and cuisine, and smells and sounds. A visit to the market is like a snapshot of the local people's everyday lives, whether they live in a teeming modern metropolis or a remote rural village. Far more than museums or monuments, a marketplace provides insights into local culture'.

The World's Markets by John Brunton

Going by continent, then by the countries within, this book is indeed pretty comprehensive in coverage. Selectively, in Africa, must visit markets include the famed Djemaa El Fna Square and Central market of Marakesh (Morocco), Khan Al Khalili souq in Cairo (Egypt), and the Antananarivo central market in Madagascar. In Europe there are the Christmas markets, especially of Germany, the village markets of France, Portobello Road market in London (England), La Boqueria in Barcelona (Spain), Florence central market, Italy and most other main markets in the various cities. In the Americas, there are these markets; La Brujas market in La Paz (Bolivia), 'Chichi' market in Guatemala, Mercado de la Merced, Mexico City and the Boston Haymarket in the USA.

In Asia the famous markets are the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul (Turkey), the 'Silk Route' markets of Bukhara and Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo (Japan), Kolkata flower market and Chandni Chowk in Delhi (India), Jatujak/Chatuchak market in Bangkok and Damnoen Saduak floating market (Thailand), Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Banjarmasin floating market in Kalimantan and Ubud market in Bali (Indonesia) and in Cambodia, the Phsar Thmey central market and Phsar Toul Tom Poung 'Russian' market in Phnom Penh.

What about Malaysian markets? These have been mentioned; Georgetown/Chowrasta market, Siti Khadijah Market in Kota Bahru, the Central Market, Petaling Street and Kampung Bahru market in Kuala Lumpur, also the market in Johor (the Pasar Malam), and the Kapit and Sandakan markets in East Malaysia.

Ex Libris CNB 1855