To the Market we go!
The markets in Chiang Mai are numerous. Saturday night
market, Sunday night market, days that end in a “y” market. The best part
though, is that they alway give you something fun to do!
Sunday night market fills the center of the old town and was
near our apartment. We walked through it the first time full of excitement.
Vendors are selling everything from crepes and squid omelets to beautiful soap
carvings and thai jewelry to t-shirts and socks. I think its safe to say that
one time wandering through the Sunday night market is probably enough; when we
returned the next week the novelty was gone and we were able to soak in the
chaos that thousands of people in an intersection brings.
One week we opted for the quieter, more hidden Saturday
night market just south of the old town, which was enjoyable. The vendors were
mostly the same. The same disabled performers that we met at the Sunday night
market lined the middle of the street providing music and other forms of
entertainment for the people wandering through. Food at both of these markets was
always a fun adventure. Too many options!
Anusarn market is open every night. It lies on the east side
of the old town near the Ping river, a bit of a trip from our apartment but we
went a few times anyhow. Anusarn has more of a permanent feel to it with a food
court, restaurants, and bars inside. The streets surrounding the open aired
building are full of other vendors which makes the market as a whole feel
mammoth, I don’t think we covered it all in the few times that we went. The goods
for sale differed slightly but had a similar feel to most others. One thing
that is unique to Anusarn in Chiang Mai is the Lady Boy Cabaret.
Fancy men dressed as women walk through the market
advertising their upcoming show. Careful boys, some of these ladies are hard to
identify as men. Their show takes place in a bar in Anusarn where they lip sync
renditions of American songs, mostly by well-known divas. One of the ladies
pulled a boy from the audience and well, I’ll just say he -err.. she- embarrassed
the kid. I thought it was great. One man had only half his body clad as a woman
and performed a lovely duet all by himself. And our waiter-lady-man gave Nate a
kiss on the cheek despite his very best efforts to avoid eye contact. Encore.
And some face wash, please.
Chiang Mai Temples
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