Jinhae Marketplace
We spent only two days in Jinhae, but they were fantastic and fun-filled. On Thursday our hosts treated us to Jinhae’s version of Saturday Market, complete with stalls full of unique goods, street performers, and a huge variety of foods. It made us all feel very at home and definitely created some great friendships as well.
Here is one stall you’ll never see at a Portland market: umbrellas! 
This is Mr. Kim, a very lively character and helpful shopping partner. I was looking for local goods and he was my advisor…when I showed an interest in a stall he would helpfully whisper in my ear “Made in China!” and carefully usher me to the next more authentic shop.
We were lucky to catch a great show by these enthusiastic performers who sang, danced, drummed, and sold rice candy to the crowd. Not pictured here is the fishnet wearing transvestite who was the star of the first show.
It was a very windy day at the marketplace…..the balloons were dancing and waving ‘hello’.
We were in Jinhae at the tail end of the Cherry Blossom Festival. We saw some beautiful trees and also met a Rotarian who owns the bakery which make the traditional cherry blossom shaped cakes, filled with sweet bean paste. Yum!
April 18, 2008 at 8:17 am
Shopping in S Korea…I am green with envy. It does look much like the Portland Saturday market, and I am sure you found some great buys! How nice to have someone with you to point out the authentic finds:)
Can hardly wait to see you next week.