The definition of a market town:
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city.
Market towns seem to be an exclusively English term. I'm not sure whether to stick to England and compare these traditional market towns or to broaden my search and look at International markets.
Searching for 'World Markets' or 'City Market' kept returning results about the stock market... no thanks! Changed my search to 'Street Markets', much better.
There are different types of markets:
Food Markets
Flea Markets
Farmer's Markets
Flower Markets
Spice Markets
Night Markets
Covered Markets
Street Markets
Animal Markets
I think it'd be nice to have a selection of these different markets, so each postcard is still about a MARKET TOWN, but in its own rights and traditions very unique to that place.
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Do I go for the most popular ones or the most interesting ones?
What makes them INTERESTING?
Keep finding links to the '10 Most AMAZING' or 'THE WORLD'S BEST' and I don't know whether to listen to them or to decide for myself? These ones are probably cities that people already know about. I want to find something I don't know.
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List for future reference:
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I know that I definitely don't want to do Camden. EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT CAMDEN! I don't need to promote that.
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Although I love markets because they are full of treasure and independent trade, I hate seeing tacky rubbish. Fake designer handbags and phone cases, no way son. You're not making it onto my postcards.
Maybe stick to food or more quaint, traditional markets.
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Market SQUARE:
The market square (or sometimes, the market place) is a feature of many European and colonial towns.[1] It is an open area where market stalls are traditionally set out for trading, commonly on one particular day of the week known as market day.
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Too popular and obvious. Decided not to look at this one anymore. I don't want to do a 'Tourist Attraction'. When I searched it, it came up with Trip Advisor links and I don't want to get into anything commercial. I sound so hipster, but I don't want to follow what's TRENDY.
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Poznan Old Market, Poznan, Poland
http://holeinthedonut.smugmug.com/DailyPhotos/HITD-Daily-Photos/i-GDWm7SC/0/L/Poland-Poznan-Old-Market-Square5-L.jpg
What a funky place! Cobbled streets, groovy architecture and little market stalls. No crowds and tourists. It's a traditional market square too with an obelisk. How long has it been trading? Is it still trading? I can't tell... Why is it not so busy?!
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Cargo Bikes, Vietnam
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f1/05/88/f1058896dad731dd0c1657dfc80f467f.jpg
A solution to carrying cargo, being mobile and trading on wheels. Genius. Who had the idea? Where was the first one made?
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Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, Thailand
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/8f/49/65/8f496512542af8255c267c2dec0f3f52.jpg
I've never heard of a floating market before but what a neat idea! Where did this tradition come from? How does it work? How often are they? What do they sell?
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The Vevey Market, Switzerland
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5596783551_5e5e692db1_o.jpg
Lovely blog post about this one: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2011/04/the-vevey-market/
A beautiful location next to Lake Geneva and MOUNTAINS! What's the temperature? What do they sell? It it mostly locals who visit? How many stalls are there? What's it like throughout the year?
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Outdoor Cheese Market, Holland
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/a0/48/0d/a0480dab6343a486d980087616d63335.jpg
It's a cheese market. Just looks so funny! So different to the other markets, yet it's the same principle.
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The more I look at these interesting markets, the more I think our English ones are corny and a little boring. Sorry guys.
We have a canal in Ripon and Leeds, wouldn't it be awesome to have a floating river market?!
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