Photo-taking Saturday 1: Farmer's Market

Blurp: My mom and I will be spending almost the whole month of October visiting 3-4 National Parks and several major cities in Arizona, New Mexico, California and Oregon. In preparation for that, I need to get really proficient with my camera skills. Now, photographing ain't just what you can do with your camera body and lenses. The nature of our trip would also require me to walk miles with my camera equipment in a camera sling-bag over one shoulder, and a backpack with water, maps, snacks etc. Since I use only prime lenses (no zooms) that means that I have to be skilled in changing lenses in the field too. Thus, I have planned to walk-a-bout in Davis in the abovementioned setup to get ready for October.

Weather was really great today. Sunny with some pockets of clouds and a soft breeze. I showered, shaved (my mustache looks ugly), read some depressing but not surprising Malaysian news and headed out the door. Before I left, I said bye to Licky who has just molted and has been quite frisky lately. My sexy bike beckoned me right outside my apartment, but I decided to walk instead. Since coming to Davis, I think I have biked more than I have walked, so some walking is a nice change. Furthermore, I don't expect to be biking in October.

The Davis Farmers Market opens every Wednesday (4.30pm-8.30pm) and Saturday (morning) in downtown Davis. Apparently it has been voted America's Favourite Farmers Market. This achievement makes me wonder if there are many other farmers market in the States, or their patrons just don't bother to vote? Don't get me wrong though. I do like our farmers market, just surprised that it's "America's Favourite" =).


Farmers Market isn't restricted to farmers, of course. There are a huge variety of stuff on display and ample opportunities for healthy transaction of cash. Yes, cash (and sometimes cheque) only. There's an ATM nearby with the appetite of a polar bear just out of hibernation who eats only service fee. No picture of the ATM because I was concerned that it would eat me too.

People eating right on the outside corner of the market.

Food!

inside of the market

Honeydews, cantaloupes etc. I bought one of them honeydews today. The boss said to let it sit for a few days to ripe. Nice, honeydew this Wednesday! When I was taking this picture, a trio of ladies next to me were whispering "paparazzi"~ LOL.

I love the colors!

This stall uses an analog scale instead of the common electronic balance. That, and the colorful chalk board. I like.

the Vue family farm. Don't really know why, but I buy most of my veges from them. The mom likes to show customers the caterpillar damage on her veges to 'prove' the absence of pesticide use. The dad likes to converse but I often have a hard time understanding his English. Today he couldn't understand me when I said 'Malaysian' too. Guess we are both equal. Hahaha. The daughter's pretty charming. Oh..now I know why...

I bought from this stall the first time today. The couple running the stall (the man here and his wife I presume, not the lady in blue here) were very friendly and casual. I love it when I want to buy ONE chili and they insisted that I take it for free. I paid them 25cents anyway. Also bought three garlic from them. Testing tonight.

Gigantic red onion, or just a small head. Maybe the head was small, but still that was one of the prettiest heads around.

Strength in length. Enough said, for most uninformed males. The truth is quite the contrary. Still catchy though. The boss said this variety is less spicy than the usual red onions. See, looks can be deceiving. Tak potent langsung!

People also sell herbs and flowers at the market. I actually know the girl on the right in the picture. She volunteered for my department's exhibition this past Spring. I think she was prettier with glasses and a more bookworm look. The hot pink strip in her hair was still quite hot though.

Arh~~at least four, five stalls of pastries. There's just something magical about pastries glistening in the sunlight in a basket.

Woven baskets. I haven't seen anyone bought one of these in my four years here. The hungry ATM is just lurking behind in the dark...

One of the two coffee stalls in the market. This one is run by two friendly and talkative men. I wanted to try their coffee today but I couldn't see any info on the blend, the origin or the roast of the coffee beans used. I could have asked, but the line was building up..so..eh.

A local store in town. Some of their tshirts are really cute and funny. My niece is still small for one of these...I think.

This wise and kind looking lady sells an assortment of blankets, mats and aprons that she made herself. She always just sit in there, under her canopy sewing away. I actually thought of asking her to teach me...but I don't believe anyone is that kind or patient hahaha. And if she is truly wise, she would refuse =).

One of the performers this Saturday. Every day seems to offer different music performers. Typically Wednesday's have larger bands.

the magic of The Hotdogger! I haven't tried their hotdogs yet, but the lines have always been long. Maybe one just can't go wrong selling hotdogs in the States. This lady definitely seemed to enjoy her work though. I like how she put her left hand out. Like dancing to the hotdog. She knew I was snapping pics of her...maybe it was for show?

Beef steaks and Americans--inseparable.

Another popular stall. They roast their popcorn right there so you can hear the "Pop pop pop". Never tried their popcorn before...in fact I have only eaten popcorn like thrice in 27 years. That means when I turn 36 I will have to eat it the fourth time.

Who can finish that big bag of popcorn?! WHO?!

How typical of children to run around unleashed. Jeez. This picture makes me dizzy just looking at it.

Yeah right? I was amazed too. Nice of the small girl to convey my feelings on my behalf. Oh if you didn't know, Davis is a Bike Town!!

One of the two playgrounds next to the market. One of the moms had to climb up to grab her kid. Hahaha...too bad I didn't catch that action. Would be too embarrassing for her I think if I held my camera up.

=). I hope the dad wasn't having a hangover...

the market's Clown. The kids love her. One badge on her reads "Dilly Dally"..that's her name? She sure is a hardworking clown though.

I snapped a whole series of pictures chronicling the adventures this family had with the ice-cream man. The excitement, joy and anticipation on the children's faces were just too good. The mom was happy, the ice-cream was happy, the children were overjoyed, and I was happy too.

That's the Mom!

The other playground next to the market. There were quite a few dads at this playground. Next time I got to check if Malaysian playgrounds have as many dads.

I thought she bought the ice-cream for the kid but it turned out that...it was just too good of a color-match for her to let go of the ice-cream.