> 'Oops, I did it again', Chatuchak Market, Bangkok, Thailand               

Britney's double again. Market-goers are just visitors and locals like you and me and him, shopping for daily needs and a maybe few more extraordinary items you can't find elsewhere. Food, clothing, appliances, jewelry, furniture, herbs, massages, pets, plants, baby shark heads, nose ring to ear chains, penile carvings....all ripe for serious bargaining.
 > Mobile, Chatuchak Market , Bangkok, Thailand     

One of a gazillion items available in exchange for your baht (or dollars). Asian markets like this mega-bazaar are great for their unique slice of life even if you don't like shopping. It's more than shopping.
 > Street Vending, Bangkok, Thailand     

Shopping's not my thing, but even I was compelled join in. Bargaining from already low asking prices is local tradition and fun game. Language is no barrier, as the everpresent calculator gives sellers a chance to type their price, you to counter, and so on. No Thai Baht? Hard currency conversion, no problem. Just be prepared for knock-offs in the land of bogus labels without a hint of copyright or trademark protections. Clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, dvds and cds, jewelry, luggage, and whatever you could ever imagine, all for a song and a bit of friendly price negotiation. Everyone's a businessperson. Tourists welcome here.
 > Another Soi Cowboy Food Vendor, Bangkok, Thailand     

More street food in Soi Cowboy during the day. Friendly vendors and great food most anywhere you go in Bangkok where there are people. Whatever you might eat in a restaurant is on the street at a fraction of the cost. Meals for under a dollar. Just get in line where lots of others are happily ordering. If your Thai is limited, you get a chance to see some options of what others are getting so you can then point and grunt to place your order...
 > Ronald Mac-Junk Food, Bangkock, Thailand          

With all the wonderful varieties of fresh local and regional food to be had, western fast food is still incredibly popular. As I wind down my journey, Ronald doing the wai has me asking why. McDelivery in the Fish Kingdom. It's a small world out there, and I think we can count on Macdonalds journeying on their own to every last corner where there's a buck to be had frying greezy burgers and fries. A wai, by the way, is the local Budhist alternative to shaking hands, with palms together and slight bow, with subtle variations dictated by age and gender of whom you address.
 > Catching the Rays Shoveling the Food, Bangkok, Thailand          

More wonderful street food back in big time Bangkok. This is easy tourist stuff. Food on a stick, point and eat. You may not know what it is, but it doesn't appear that strange. Hot dogs, meat balls, meat balls, and more meat balls. Don't ask what kind of meat. It gets more interesting when the cart is full of raw materials and you have to explain what you want prepared. Best to watch locals order and say me too.
 > Peace Sign Glove, Bangkok, Thailand     

A common theme wherever I traveled in SE Asia was getting peace signs, thumbs up and smiles when I approached with the camera. Don't speak Thai? Lao? Khmer? Smiles and body language carried my day, day after day. Even these street cleaning tools get into the act. Clean streets, sidewalks and peace... Clearly a good sign.
 > Soi Cowboy Food Vendor, Bangkok, Thailand     

Street food is among the best things in SE Asia. Bangkok options are especially diverse and tasty, ranging from fried centipede and tarantula to Pad Thai and exotic fresh fruits. Many visitors miss out for concern of food poisoning. I didn't encounter a single episode, despite frequently over-indulging this incredibly cheap thrill. Be sure to drink from a bag... eat a grasshopper. (Tastes like chicken.)
 > Chatuchak Market Vendor, Bangkok, Thailand     

Another friendly vendor. The open stalls of Chatuchak Market over-stimulate the senses and exhaust bodies from the sheer expanse of exotic offerings and market size. Also known as "JJ", from Jatu Jak. Among multiple sections that divide the market is a pet and wildlife section where illegal commerce in protected species most likely continues. This fellow was not a part of that, rather just another purveyor of high fashion.
Ronald Mac-Junk Food, Bangkock, Thailand     

With all the wonderful varieties of fresh local and regional food to be had, western fast food is still incredibly popular. As I wind down my journey, Ronald doing the wai has me asking why. McDelivery in the Fish Kingdom. It's a small world out there, and I think we can count on Macdonalds journeying on their own to every last corner where there's a buck to be had frying greezy burgers and fries. A wai, by the way, is the local Budhist alternative to shaking hands, with palms together and slight bow, with subtle variations dictated by age and gender of whom you address.
 > Ronald Mac-Junk Food, Bangkock, Thailand          

With all the wonderful varieties of fresh local and regional food to be had, western fast food is still incredibly popular. As I wind down my journey, Ronald doing the wai has me asking why. McDelivery in the Fish Kingdom. It's a small world out there, and I think we can count on Macdonalds journeying on their own to every last corner where there's a buck to be had frying greezy burgers and fries. A wai, by the way, is the local Budhist alternative to shaking hands, with palms together and slight bow, with subtle variations dictated by age and gender of whom you address.
Ronald Mac-Junk Food, Bangkock, Thailand     

With all the wonderful varieties of fresh local and regional food to be had, western fast food is still incredibly popular. As I wind down my journey, Ronald doing the wai has me asking why. McDelivery in the Fish Kingdom. It's a small world out there, and I think we can count on Macdonalds journeying on their own to every last corner where there's a buck to be had frying greezy burgers and fries. A wai, by the way, is the local Budhist alternative to shaking hands, with palms together and slight bow, with subtle variations dictated by age and gender of whom you address.
Photo by: photographie-irie • see photo in gallery