The Mercado dos Lavradores ( farmers ' market ), Funchal , Madeira , Portugal
Market spices , Riga , Latvia
The crowded markets are an explosion of sensory experiences . Shoppers in local attire bustle about and chat in the singsong of an unfamiliar language . Labels and signs are eye-catching and often inexplicable . Flower stalls burst with colours and fragrances . The aroma of spice mixtures , fermented vegetables , and dried seafood are invigorating , even if sometimes overwhelmingly pungent .
Increasingly , the kiosks feature creative artisanal food items developed by budding entrepreneurs : craft beers and spirits , snack foods , sauces , syrups , spice mixtures , sausages , oils , and pastries , often with playful names and logos . There are soaps , candles , decor items , and kitchen utensils that are both utilitarian and attractive .
If it is impossible to prepare meals by participating in culinary classes or staying in a vacation rental with a kitchen , it is essential to sample the dishes that have been the quick takeaways for generations before the advent of fast food franchises . Most cultures have a style of bread , eaten plain , spread with a topping , or stuffed with various fillings : Valletta ’ s pastizzi , Warsaw ’ s paszteciki , Dubrovnik ’ s pogača , or Porto ’ s cachorrinhos . Visiting markets and sampling their wares offer unique opportunities to learn about cultures and connect with the real lifestyles of the local populations .
Carol Berndt continues to seek out travel opportunities where history , culture , and gastronomy come together , most recently in the lovely jumble of Jeju , Korea ’ s Dongmun market .
A flower market in Tallinn , Estonia
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