Chatachak

Chatachak. JJ. Weekend Market. Whatever it is called. I love it.

The Chatachak Market is one of the largest markets in the world and it is just a 100 baht cab ride from my apartment. You can buy anything and everything. Clothes, puppies, dishes, souveniers, toys, coi fish, soap, towels. I could go on. But I won't.

After my inexpensive cultural outing to Ayuthaya, I had to go shopping with all that money I saved. I felt like I was playing with monopoly money- haggling for this and that, grabbing 3 shirts to get a better deal, refusing to pay 20 more baht for an item but having no qualms at buying coconut after coconut for 30 baht each. Being rich is fun! I got all my presents, plenty of new clothes, a manicure and pedicure, two delicious meals and I don't think I spent 100 dollars.

The United States needs more markets and less malls. It is much more exhilarating weaving through clothing stalls, with a coconut in one hand and spicy crab on a stick in the other, underneath the hot sun than strolling through an air-conditioned, sterile mall.