Going to local markets in foreign countries is an activity I particularly enjoy. Actually I have enjoyed visits to places like Eastern Market in Detroit and other US cities too. The food and the people can give one a sense for what the culture  is like while providing a myriad of photography opportunities for folks like me. 

In this blog post, I will share two markets I visited in Columbia last March. 

These visits were part of  photography tour of this engaging country. 

I loved meandering  markets that meet the needs of the local people, not designed to cater to tourists, even though I am one.

Interestingly, the market we visited in Bogota was so focused on local businesses that our Photo Guide had get special permission for us to go there cameras in hand and we weren’t allowed to bring in large camera bags. They tend to get in the way of the sellers and buyers doing their business. We followed the rules. 

So, what is so intriguing about these markets? Let me show you. 

They are vastly different from our antiseptic and orderly grocery stores. I have no issue with our big box and beautiful designed, fully stocked stores, but I love seeing how food is processed, packaged and sold in other parts of the world.  It had rained the night prior to our early morning visit in Cartagena, so capturing scenes in the mud puddles was a source of creativity for me. 

Seeing people in their relaxed state and/or working hard tells the story of the markets. 

How about this preacher in the middle of the chaotic activity sharing his views with people  who paid  no attention. I watched him for a while. He persevered in sharing his message.  

How fun to see these cranes waiting for snips and snaps of fish. 

Best of all is capturing the people, who where agreeable to my creating portraits. I so wish I could hear the stories of their lives.  

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