El Mercado

We got a great travel tip from a friend we made in Indonesia who showed us around Penang in Malaysia.

He told us that every time he goes to a foreign country he heads straight to the local market, because a city's market gives a traveler great insight into the local culture. 

One morning last week Ryan and I walked over to see what Cozumel's market had to offer.  We'll be back for more tasty empanadas soon!

 

 

 
 

Ubud Part Two: Sightseeing, Market, Man Sarongs & Mexican Food

We hopped on a scooter to sightsee on our first full day in Ubud.
{That was an adventure in its own right, since traffic in Indonesia drives on the left side of the road.  Definitely took some getting use to!} 
   We set out to explore the villages and sights on the outskirts of town, passing by shops where artists carved huge and elaborate wood furniture and sculptures.  
The winding roads led us through lush rice paddies, green jungle and small villages.  We stopped often to ask locals to point us in the right direction and to get a closer view of the numerous Hindu temples lining the road.  We got lost a few times, but with the gorgeous scenery (and great company) we didn't mind.  

Most of the road looked like this.

 

And we filled up the scooter with these.

We couldn’t resist stopping for a view of Bali’s spectacular rice fields.  

And all we had to do to see them was pull over.  A bit more simple than our viewing in Batad...

Eventually we found Gunung Kawi, an eleventh century memorial set in a beautiful location.

Our next stop was the fourteenth century carvings that make up Yeh Pulu.   
It took us a little while to find it since we were asking for directions to "Bedulu" and it's actually near the town of "Petulu" or maybe the other way around... 
But we found it and it proved worth the trip as we were nearly alone among the unique carvings and a hidden waterfall.

The last stop of the day was Suwati Market.  The bustling space was filled with produce, baked goods, fabric, clothing and accessories.

 

Also for sale were the colorful ingredients for people to make their own daily Hindu offerings.

The sweet owner of our guesthouse had told us it was the place for local bargains.  Since a sarong is required at all temples we decided it would be easier to purchase our own rather than rent them each time before entering.  The saleswomen had a ball dressing Ryan in traditional Hindu attire. 

Back in Ubud for dinner we found a Mexican restaurant (hallelujah!) which turned out to be the best food of its kind since leaving the states.  Thank you Wikitravel!  Our nachos were made from fresh cut corn tortillas and the burritos were loaded with guacamole, tart sour cream and delicious pico de gallo.  I had a real lime margarita!  

 Lime margarita!  Made with lime.

 Did you hear that Korea?  Margaritas are made with LIME.  This is brand new information, I know.

After dinner we took in another dance, this time the Ramyana Ballet at the grand Ubud Water Palace which was even more delightful than dinner.  

Or at least it was equivalent.

From Seafood to Socks

Jagalchi Fish Market is quite the place.

A few weeks after our initial arrival in Korea our co-workers took us there to experience it.  

We did the same for Erin when she was here, minus the meal of live octopus.  I think she was grateful for that.

 

 

Opposite the indoor market is a long stretch of booths with vendors peddling their goods.

 

 

Ryan did his Sunday night frisbee thing as Erin and I continued the evening strolling though the nearby Gukje Market.  

The seemingly never-ending alleys are packed with clothes, shoes, electronics and accessories.  You name it, they've got it.  

Just don't name limes.

 

Among the shiny things we spotted this winning tee. 

Really?   

You can't make this stuff up.

I passed on the shirt, but couldn't resist matching socks for Ryan and me to honor the song of the summer.

Can't you just hear it in your head?

Erin and I spent her last night in Busan watching our favorite '90s movie.  

It was just the same as it was when we were twelve, except we were in my apartment in South Korea and ten minutes into the movie my husband came home.

Ah I miss my bestie.

Book Alley

Behind the busy streets of Gukje Market lies Book Alley.  Stacks of literature, dictionaries and comic books practically spill out of small stalls lining both sides of the narrow road.  

I had a lovely time wandering the area recently and picked up my own pretty book of Korean poems.  Not a bad way to spend Sunday afternoon.