Guava juice

In Chatuchak market, we bought a guava juice. We chose guava because we had very good guava shakes in Bangkok, with perfect sweetness. But this time, the taste is off, not sure what chemicals they put in. Doesn’t taste like real guava juice.

Jean Talon Market in Montreal

I am totally in love with Jean Talon Market in Montreal. Every time I visit Montreal, that place is a must go. You could find really cheap veggies from farmers or you could spend a fortune for some exotic wild mushroom that you couldn’t find at other places. You can also get any kinds of meat, seafood, fresh squeezed juice and daily freshly cooked lunch. Also you can’t miss dessert, bakery and coffee shop. It is always packed with people.
I love it when some many fruit and veggie venders so generously offer the product samples. What a great way of marketing their products!

Organ display

Back to the markets in Europe, venders are honestly display the goods, any animal organs that you can imagine. Living in Canada for too long, I almost forget there are many cultures eat animal toughs, brains and tripe, etc. I am not the only weird Chinese out there.

Market in Turin

Every market is different for me and I always enjoy visiting them while traveling. My friend told me that they deliver fishes from Sicily to Turin by airplane; therefore, you can get freshest fish in Turin. The fish market is fully of people at weekend. It was quite an amazing place to visit.
Out of the fish market, there are other parts sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. The market is huge and it seems ever end. I was so delighted when I saw they are selling cherry blossoms. It was the beginning of March. It was still very chill but the cherry blossoms represent spring for me. While spring in Toronto does not come till May, I felt really lucky to see them in March.

Hand-made chocolate in Market

In the same Genova weekend market, I am surprised to see some well-made artistic chocolate. Normally you would think only fancy chocolate store sell them, not in a market. I know, they are make from moulds, but it is nice to had varieties. It also shows that people generally appreciated artistic work, not only in big cities. It is great for artists keeping pushing new ideas and designs.

Of course in the market, the price is relative cheap as well. I bought the small square dark chocolate with different flavors and they are simply amazing! As for the other artistic ones, I think they are more for the eyes to enjoy. I doubt there are different fills for each piece.

Mountain of Chocolate in Barcelona

In Sant Losep market I mentioned previously (Mercat de Sant Josep), they also have many varieties: from chocolate rose to sliver-looking small heart, etc. Even after traveling France and Italy for months, I was surprisingly impressed by the presentation of mountain of varies chocolate in a market. The price is not market, they cost 60 euro per kg. Is it because the tourist location or good quality? Maybe both?

Barcelona Market - part 3 Fish

Barcelona Market- part 2 Sweets

Barcelona Market - part 1 Fruit

I went to one of the best-know market: Mercat de Sant Josep, near the famous street La Rambla. It is an impressive market where you can find almost everything: fruit, dessert, fish, vegetables and small restaurants. Since it is located near La Rambla, it is filled with tourists and things are very pricy. You can find all kinds of exotic fruit there. They also make variety of fresh fruit juice with ice for 1 euro a plastic cup, just like in Thailand. Of course the presentation of products are very impressive. I wish I could dive into those fruit mountains!

But be aware that merchants give you the good fruit. I bought some strawberry because I saw they are very ripe. But when I buy it, the merchants do not let me to choose from the beautiful pile. (Of course, they do not want to re-do the pile after every customer). Some of the strawberries I got are good; some are barely ripe. I felt being cheated!

Toronto Turkish Festival

It is hold at Young-Dundas Square, from August 2-3, 2008. Their website is: http://www.torontoturkishfestival.org/festival/index.asp?idx=SPONSORS_ALL

We all know Young-Dundas Square is tiny, so I don’t expect a big festival there. Just as I expected, there is only one main stage with some dancing, music. Since there is Turkish food, I have to check it out.

Besides Turkish coffee and tea, it is really impressive to see that Turkish women make Gözleme at the spot (see lower corner of Pic). $5 each

“Gözleme is a savory Traditional Turkish handmade and Hand rolled pastry. Fresh pastry is rolled out, the thinly rolled out dough is then filled and sealed, then cooked over a griddle, traditionally this is done on a saç. “ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6zleme

At the festival, they only have choice of potato or cheese. I tried a cheese one. It is too salty for me, otherwise it is quite tasty. I bet the one with spinach, feta and minced meat will be really good.

Hmm, and the meat are sooooo good!! I have never seen that giant pile of meat before. Unfortunately with $5 plate dish, they only give you tiny amount of meat. If I can I would buy a few pounds home.

As for desserts, they are really good and very sweat. I especially love pistachio in the dessert. $1 per dessert.

Overall, it is fun to try some Turkish food with music and dance. But the dollar doesn’t give you the best value.