Tucheng Markets

This is a typical Taiwanese traditional morning market that runs every single morning of the year except for Lunar New Years day. My family's been coming to these markets for more than 30 years. I've lived away for more than 20 years, but so many of the sellers still know my name and who's grandchild I am.

Marketeers attend morning auctions at the larger distribution markets as early as 3am in the morning, and take their stock of the day back to their stalls ready for the morning crowd. Its the hub of the community, buzzing with activities and lots and lots of yelling.

The arrival of the big multinational supermarkets hasn't seemed to dent the popularity and the loyalty to these markets where you just feel so much more personal to the produce you buy, not only because you know that everything you get is the most freshest & local, but also the people that sell them to you feel like part of your own family.

Above: Fruit stand aka back of a truck. Those red ribbons are lucky symbols for the new year, and so are pineapples which has the same pronunciation as "Properity Will Come"; Gutted amphibians.

Above: The Fish-hook lady can certainly inspire a good fun black comedy; Man from the toy stall looking for his lost dog. Below: Pre-made food for festivals; Vege stall.

Below: The Butcher in action. You pick the cut, he crafts it.