{"id":4138,"date":"2019-02-17T23:30:52","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T07:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jeffersonscher.com\/ttw\/?p=4138"},"modified":"2020-02-22T16:01:36","modified_gmt":"2020-02-23T00:01:36","slug":"the-market-the-bazaar-and-the-mall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jeffersonscher.com\/ttw\/2019\/02\/the-market-the-bazaar-and-the-mall\/","title":{"rendered":"The Market, The Bazaar, and The Mall"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being Sunday, it\u2019s a perfect day to head to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, Thailand\u2019s largest bazaar. I only had one taker for this plan, so there will be multiple itineraries today. We\u2019ll meet up for dinner and share stories. <\/p>\n

Sunday, February 17, 2019<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Geneva and I headed to the Sheraton\u2019s boat pier but the attendant waved us off because their first departure is at 10am. We could have used the nearby public pier and caught a different boat to the BTS Skytrain station, but it seemed simpler to walk to the MRT station. We took the subway all the way to the Kampaeng Phet station, which has exits for both Chatuchak and the wonderful fresh market, Aw Taw Kaw (or Or Tor Kor). We decided to start on the fresh market side.<\/p>\n

I guided Geneva to several stands Kasma has recommended in the past for everything from dried mango and sesame cashews, to GABA rice and Moringa oil. We also visited a sweet shop where mango leather shaped into roses looked like a good gift to take home. A plate of rose apple slices looked as though it would be a good mid-morning refresher. We even found the brand of sweet pickled radish Chef Ghi recommended for Pad Thai. And seeds to grow several kinds of eggplant, and so many other things. Our shopping bags soon became heavy. Actually, so far they were all Geneva\u2019s bags; I had a very short shopping list today.<\/p>\n

After a break to cool down, we used the underground passages of the MRT station to cross under the main street to Chatuchak market. Turns out there are free restrooms in the MRT station; must remember for future reference. At JJ market, we checked the Princess shop for possible gifts, and then wandered through the antiques section. Nothing there looked like a must-have. We headed to the stand where I had bought my huge storage bag; I was searching for a smaller one that would better work as checked baggage. A bag with pattern of elephants looked good, and the vendor\u2019s small children helped bring it down from a rack where two dozen bags were hanging. Moments later, we were using the elephant bag to lug Geneva\u2019s purchases. Now I understand why people arrive here with (or purchase) a piece of wheeled luggage.<\/p>\n

To recharge, I picked up a roasted young coconut and guzzled the delicious coconut water, reserving the coconut shell for later. Standing under the shade of an umbrella, we snacked on juicy rose apple slices. Thus fueled, we checked out T-shirt shops (some purchases were made) and the art section before taking another break to cool down. I surprised our tablemates by smashing my coconut so I could peel out the tender meat. So good.<\/p>\n

\"\"Men's room sign, Kampaeng Phet MRT station, Bangkok<\/span><\/a><\/p>

\"\"Hand-painted high tops, Section 7, Chatuchak Market, Bangkok<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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