Spoiler alert: Farmer's market are our jam!
NYC Markets
They featured in our regular weekend routines in NYC. We most frequented the one adjacent to the American Museum of National History on W. 79th St, but we'd also regularly venture to the main one in Union Square.
There is a vibrancy to farmer's markets that is unparalleled. The colors, the fresh & local produce, the signals of a new season. Picking up a few items and cooking with them (Doug & girls) back at home was a favorite family activity. Food just tastes better fresh like that! We weren't the first to coin the phrase "fresh & local", but it was uttered regularly amongst us, to the point where it became a rallying cry of sorts between the four of us. When I took a Hand Lettering course last Fall, I even lettered "fresh & local" as my final project :)
Local Markets On The Go
The same is true for when we travel. We often research when the local market is in play and check it out. Even when we aren't in a position to cook with anything, we always manage to pick up a few goodies. And for folks like us who appreciate & enjoy good food, you're guaranteed to get some tasty eats at the local market.
So when Jamyang asked if we wanted to check out the local farmer's market in Thimphu, we were all in! The market runs Wednesday through Sunday and is organized into sections (livestock, produce, flowers, etc). We learned that the farmers come into Thimphu each week with their goods to sell, stay for the few days of the market, and then return to their homes for the days the market is closed. And then the cycle starts all over again.
It was much larger than we expected. We leisurely walked the aisles. Sooooo many chilies for sale! Everywhere we went around the country we'd see chilies laid out on rooftops & hanging from windows to dry out.
From top left, clockwise: dried spices, cheese for ema datshi, dried chilies and dried sausages/bacon.
The "live" scene:
Doug & Paige scouting out the best mandarin orange-type fruit.
Walking through the local market and scoping out all the local produce, delicacies, etc. that fill the cupboards and bellies of Bhutanese was really enjoyable. As we left the market, Paige & Jamyang fell into a groove, walking hand-in-hand. As our week progressed, the girls were often seen like this, skipping along with Jamyang. He was so good at tuning into them, being a father himself. Another local experience in the books in Bhutan! It's going to be a great week :)
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