The Complexities of the Marketplace

On Sunday morning, we woke up early in an attempt to make our way to the Chatuchak Weekend Market before the afternoon heat settled in. We got to the market a little later than planned and joined the overwhelming crowd shuffling into the main area. The market was buzzing with local vendors and swarms of busy shoppers. We weaved in and out of narrow pathways, taking in an array of different sights and smells. The market reminded me of an enormous labyrinth – its design only truly understood from a bird’s-eye view. Luckily, our detailed map included a guide for the market, and on site, we also received an updated map which laid out the sections available for exploration in a more manageable fashion.

So – what was our game plan? Well, if any of us were to get lost, we decided to make our way to the Clock Tower, located at the center of the market. Easy enough, right? Hmm, I decided it would be wise to keep track of Amber and Sara – you know, just in case. I followed the girls as we braved the maze in a single file line which oddly reminded me of tiny ducklings following a mother who knew exactly where she was going (we took turns being the Mama duck and pretending to be intentional in our leadership choices). We soon passed food stalls which sent my senses into an unexpected frenzy. The combination of cooked meats, colorful fresh fruit, vats of curry, crispy yellow french fries and to my surprise, perfectly shaped mini chocolate donuts was more than I could handle at once – food galore to the extreme!

Overall, the market was a neat and unique experience. Though I’ve been to many markets before –including the most unrealistically crowded Ghanaian market which expanded indefinitely and left me bewildered – all markets have defining characteristics which arguably distinguish them from the next. Winding through the pathways, unaware of what would pop up next was my favorite part of this particular market. I eventually found a gorgeous pair of bronze earrings with dangling emerald stones, forcing myself not to cave into my impulse to buy the entire rack. Seriously, I have a problem with restraining myself when it comes to shopping for jewelry abroad (I’m thinking about creating a group for this very issue).

As we continued our way through the crevices of the market, I heard barks and yelps and realized we had reached the “animal” section that Sara had forewarned us about. I knew the upcoming encounter with animals for sale would boil down to internal sadness, but before I knew it, I was practically sprinting to find the animals. When I finally arrived, one thought came to mind: puppies and kittens and squirrels, OH MY! Literally – there were animals everywhere! I never could have imagined the size of this particular section of the market, and gawked as I walked past litters of dogs, kittens and even clusters of small rodents. Some animals were separated by glass, while others were right in the open – leaning over their metal cages trying to escape! We bent down to pet many of them, but became saddened by the ones who looked too tiny, cramped and hot to be in such a place. When I got to the squirrel section, I was really upset – the squirrels had brightly colored collars around their skinny necks, and their bodies were strapped down to wire cages by thin string. They could not turn around, let alone lift their heads at all. My western alarm for animal cruelty sounding, I suppressed thoughts of freeing the squirrels -- I've watched ET too many times. We spent about another five to ten minutes in this section, and decided it was best to move on.

After this experience, I pondered the way animals are viewed and treated in various countries, including the US and Thailand. I knew that the individuals selling the animals in the Chatuchak market were doing so to make a livelihood, and I understood their rationale. What I reflected on most was my western perception of the way animals should be treated – which at times can be classified as outlandish pampering rather than proper treatment in my opinion (I’m thinking dog costumes, doggy play dates, etc.).

After more thought, I found myself a lot less critical of the situation in which animals were being sold in the market, though the image of the chained down, depressed squirrel is forever etched in my mind. However, I realized that animals face far worse circumstances in the US and other western countries -- in terms of slaughterhouses and the innumerable ways in which animals are cruelly reared for consumption. What's worse is that many Americans are cut off from this process and in fact, the treatment of animals prior to mass consumption is invisible. Many of us only see the final product at the supermarket, making it a whole lot easier to enjoy.

Additionally, I realized that I am guilty for partaking in what some consider animal cruelty, due to the fact that I have the capability and flexibility to avoid meat but still am unable to fully commit to a vegetarian lifestyle. Though vegetarianism is not an option for all, and eating animals is an essential part of many cultures, I couldn't help but think of the Jains' strict policy on vegetarianism due to their support of ahimsa, or nonviolence for all living beings. Ultimately, I decided I should work on my own karma before passing any judgment on the practices of others.