Street stuff

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For some reason, we really have not come across many fresh markets on this trip so far, and I do love a good market, so when I noticed that there was a morning market near our guest house, we decided to try to find it.

I love the juxtaposition of these huge papayas next to the towering temple offerings. This is a style that I have not seen before. Thousands of marigolds get turned into these offerings on a daily basis.

I had thought it would be interesting to write a book about floral offerings in various cultures, and the next day I saw a book on that very subject! Only about Laotian flowers, though and  written in French. As Jim observed, that would have been a great thesis subject. 

Just as we entered the market, trailing behind a group of a French tourists, Jim caught his sandal on a plastic crate filled with pineapples, and the next thing I knew, he was sprawled out amongst the fruits and veg that had been so carefully arranged that morning! Limes were rolling everywhere...

He quickly popped up, saying he was fine, but the pineapple crate was crushed, and the proprietress was pissed. Jim gave her $10 and apologized profusely. It was mostly embarrassing to have the French watch this whole calamity. Such a thing would never happen to them. Zut! 

We soon realized that his leg was bleeding, so I found a small stall with odds and ends, pointed out the gash, and for a small fee, we had our band aids! 

They say the smaller the chili, the hotter it is, so I'd hate to test out some of these chilis, but I loved the size gradation. 

So hard to resist the temptation to buy one, or ten of these lovely little baskets, but there is no room in the suitcase for them.

Or for these....

I feel like I am constantly a little too far behind the monks to get a good photo, but these young monks in training are everywhere, as are their older counterparts. I'm just too shy to take their photos up close.