Birthday Balloons ~ Chiang Mai

Well ok, not really birthday balloons.. This guy was selling nice colorful balloons on the Sunday Market in Chiang Mai.
But we can all pretend these balloons are meant for me, right?

Because it's my birthday today! Yep..

I am celebrating my 280,535th hour on this planet and my 224th dog year!
Thank you for my parents for obvious reasons and thank you for my girlfriend and my friends for the beautiful day I had today.

Cheers to everyone!

Saturday Market Food ~ Chiang Mai

On Saturdays and Sundays (or even every other day), one of our main activities here in Chiang Mai is to find new food to taste!
Although less than the Sunday Market, the Saturday Market is also home to many varieties of food from traditional Thai food like Pad Thai, the delicious Khao Soi to dim-sums and French fries.
Food is often served in smaller portions than in western countries, but usually Thai people eat more often during the day.
I saw this street food lady selling dim-sums with a nice light I just had to take the shot.

Child at play ~ Chiang Mai

Another shot I got from the PhotoWalk a few weeks ago in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is the same kid playing with a top seen on this portrait in the market.

It was too bad it rained for hours later so we couldn't get more shots. I felt a bit more comfortable taking street portraits when I was with the group, I am not very used to street photography and I feel a bit shy approaching people to take photos when I don't even speak their language.

I am improving day by day though as I am forcing myself to get out there and approach strangers. I might even have a project coming up soon so stay tuned!

Colors of Asia

One of the things I enjoy about Asia is the explosion of bright colors everywhere.
From the products in the markets, bags, clothes, tuk-tuks to the traditional costumes of Hill-tribes, everything seems to be very colorful making it a pleasure for the eye. Even the taxi cars are bright yellow, green or pink!

Why do we tend to become more and more dull in the "western civilized" world? Are we afraid from everything that is not beige, gray, black or white?

Sunday Market Dance - Chiang Mai

Every Sunday starting around 4pm, the main street of the "Old city" in Chiang Mai (Th Ratchadamnoen) is closed to vehicles and a huge market is set up extending the entire length up to Wat Phra Singh until midnight.

Anything can be found in there, from clothing to music, souvenirs, hill-tribe products and of course.. Street Food!

I always notice this little girl in hill-tribe costume (I think from the Hmong tribe if not mistaken) dancing on the Sunday market as well as the Saturday walking market, since February!
It saddens me to see poor or visually impaired people and especially children being used for begging or tourist traps. Those young girls have their childhood stolen from them to be able to attract money and it can be felt in their sad eyes.

Unfortunately it's the same in most countries of the world.

Child in a market - Photo Walk 2010

Today 24th of July was held the 3rd annual "Worldwide Photo Walk", a social photography event created by Scott Kelby where photographers get together in town, walk, shoot, socialize and have fun.
Although some parts of the world the walk hasn't started yet, more than 33000 photographers, amateurs and pros are expected in 1111 walks around the world (cool number!).

I participated in the Photo Walk in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Unfortunately, heavy rain spoiled our gathering and the event was canceled an hour after we met. We did have the opportunity to visit a local market though before the sky poured on us. We got separated in two groups to prevent people from panicking..
I mean.. Imagine yourself sitting in a corner peeling onions when suddenly 40 people point a huge camera and start clicking while the multiple flashes turn you to dust... Horrible!

I saw this little kid playing in a corner with his little top. He was very shy! Every time I pointed my camera, he looked down and tried to focus on his toy. Cute.

Overall it was a fun but short time. I am not really used to taking photos of people in the streets but being in a group made me feel a bit less shy and I saw how some photographers approached the merchants to have their shot.
Hope everyone else in the world has more luck than we did!

Saturday Market food stalls (stools?)

In Chiang Mai, every Sunday takes place the famous "Walking Night Market" on Th Ratchadamnoen, offering a taste of provincial culture, cheap bargains and reminding the itinerant merchants stopping in town to sell their goods.
Usually the street is packed with both locals and tourists making it hard to move around.

Less known however is the "Saturday Walking Market" on.. as you guessed.. Saturdays on Th Wualai. It attracts less tourists and is more enjoyable to walk around. It is located in an older street outside the "Old city" walls.
Of course, I have to admit, what I like most in these markets is the variety of local food you can find almost every 10 steps! My taste buds are grateful every weekend and my stomach curses me all night long.
Some people would avoid eating street food from fear of poor hygiene. I think it's an excellent way to discover local culture and I've never fallen sick from any kind of food during my 10-month travel.

What do you think? Would you be afraid to taste food from a merchant like in the photo above?