Each morning I go for a walk to the market in the village of Phanon, which means ‘butterfly’. This morning I witnessed the daily ritual of the local monks who walk the streets with their alms bowls. They don’t make a loud noise or ring a bell, they just walk along softly chanting their prayers. The locals give some vegetable or rice or money and receiving a blessing. This fellow had just given a cob of corn. I believe the monks only eat one meal a day, though I am not sure if I understood that correctly
At the markets, there are many stalls, some of which are there everyday and others that are there today and gone tomorrow. My theory is that they are travelling stalls, that go from one village to the next, selling their wares such as clothes, toiletries, shoes, make up and hair accessories. So, if you see something you like, be sure to buy it today as it may not be there tomorrow.
whilst some stalls inside seem to be organised together, outside these migrating stalls can sell anything…so you see bras and undies beside dried fish…
This morning, we also had some entertainment…this fellow was blind, but had someone to help him set up and whilst I have no idea what he was singing, it was easy enoug to listen too, if not a little loud when you were nearby…
then there are the things I know, but haven’t seen this way before…like multi-coloured prawn crackers…for 10 bhat (40 cents)
though every day the flowers are there…I bought a bunch of yellow daisies for 25 bhat ($1)
I took the main road there this morning and the back road back. It is a bit untidy but doesn’t smell too bad. I think the garbage must due for collection soon, it looks bad, but there are lots of houses but not many bins and the bags deteriorate or the dogs, chickens or birds get into them, then the cars come along and spread it out a bit further…often someone will come and sweep it back into a pile to try and keep it off the road…
Almost everyone I pass that is on foot or bike, or in their yard or sitting reading the paper will return my greeting or at least smile and nod…it’s a nice way to start each day. The 4km walk takes me about 45 minutes, plus however long I wander about the market…