High in the mountains

We just returned from a short trip to Nepal. While wandering the dusty potholed streets lined with buildings that could either be in the midst of construction or falling down from old age (it's hard to tell often),in Kathmandu, it was sometimes hard to remember we were in the middle of a city. It seemed like every vacant lot was being used to grow a crop of something. The effect was quite charming, not to mention how much sense it made to grow food where the people lived.

 

 

Even the roof tops had gardens on them.

 

It was nice to think that the majority of the food for sale on the streets was locally grown.

I especially liked the bicycle vendors moving around the city selling their wares.

 

I could have spent hours poking around the small shops selling their home made low tech tools for the kitchen or garden.

 

The tea and spice shops were especially interesting with their exotic aromas.

 

Our time there was far too short this time, but we'll be back.

 

Exploring the local markets

Now that we are living in a small town, we find ourselves buying food in the local markets and cooking for ourselves. In ChiangMai there were so many great restaurants to eat in we seldom ate at home.
I love wandering through the markets checking out the produce, and knowing that it is grown locally, and is all freshly picked, and to experience all the colours and smells.
These Thai sweets caught my eye

As did these coloured chickens. Not quite sure what they were all about or what was to become of them. But they sure were eye catching.

All is available from knives to fruit trees.

It is mango season. These are a few of the varieties available. Though we don't need to buy any! It seems like someone drops us off a bag every few days. Fortunately we love mangoes and there is no such thing as eating too many.

There are mountains of fresh herbs and spices to choose from.

 Lots of fresh meat and fish.

And don't forget the eggs.

In the process of cooking for ourselves, I have even started to plant a few edibles in our thin sliver of a garden.
The spring onions were easy. It was just a matter of buying a bunch(with the roots still attached), and planting what we didn't eat.

The chilis were much the same. Save a few seeds before eating them all, and planting them in a pot.

We won't be here to eat them ourselves, but Sook should appreciate them after we leave.