Day 137 - to markets to markets

First thing I saw on the lift buttons today......someone stole the -1 button

Anyway, this is my last Sunday in London, as I would be away for weekend trips. So its a good time for me to go around visiting the famed Sunday markets,

Market 1: Brick Lane Market
顾名思义, Brick Lane Market is at Brick Lane, the little Bangla of London. Until I watched this Al Jazeera programme did I know Brick Lane had such a long history.

Brick Lane sells a lot of 2nd hand stuff, and fresh produce too!

Look at the fresh produce! A lot more in quantity and quality, a lot lesser in price!

More random stuff being sold in Brick Lane

Told ya it's little Bhlanga.

Freshly made Bagels - a piece of old Brick Lane where it was a Jewish enclave

The 老字号 as featured in the show. I pity the ladies at the counter. They had to keep shouting "Hello, please move forward. Thank you! HELLO! PLEASE MOVE FORWARD....."

Incredibly delicious plain bagel at 20p

Another Brick Lane Jewish speciality apparently, but aku takder makan beef lah.

Sunday Upmarket, around Brick Lane area. Selling all kinds of food and stuff as well!

cute sign.

A nice way to use Routemaster.

Spot the odd one out.

My lunch - Ethopian food. Looking at the number of ang mo stuff, I suspect it has been highly bastardised.

The mosque that was a Synagogue.

Attempt to make the place more "cultural". Reminds me of what URA has done to Chinatown.

VERDICT
I love Brick Lane Market! It's not just a convergence of all kinds of goods (including a excellent condition Edward Said 2nd hand book that I've bought). It's a convergence of ideas. Communists, Anarchists, all kinds of activists have booths to engage in meaningful discussions. There are booths set up aimed at dispelling myths of Islam as well.

Market 2: Petticoat Lane Market
Known to be 2nd hand items market.

VERDICT
Feels like a Pasar Malam place to me at UK prices. Items are really Pasar Malam stuff at Pasar Malam quality. :P

Market 3: Camden Market

Famous for having loads of fashionable stuff.

Camden Lock

Many small lanes. I hear a lot of the stall owners speaking Thai as well! Macham Chatuchak!

Lock in operation. Notice how the water level on the right of the gate is higher?

So nationalistic

I take my words back. This one even more Nationalistic.

Interesting seats

There is no such things as Chinese food my dear. China is too diverse to have a unified Chinese food. It is an imagination by the Ang Mohs, and so are the dishes.

VERDICT
A very fashionable place indeed. A lot of fashionable items. Seriously, a lot. But I'm not a fashionable person, so I spend more time walking around than looking and buying. Nice respite at the Camden Lock if you're tired of the crowd. A worthwhile visit!