Tour guides: the difference between noticing and knowing.
http://www.eturbonews.com/29577/tour-guides-difference-between-noticing-and-knowing
BY ANITA MENDIRATTA, CNN TASK GROUP/ETN | JUN 05, 2012
THE DESTINATION IS IN THE DETAILS
The distance between the city center of Bangkok and Damnoensaduak floating markets is a mere 110 kilometers, equating to one-and-a-half hours by road. And yet it can feel a world away. For anyone wanting to see, to feel, one of Thailand’s most authentic, age-old trading centers, with its magnificent, aqua-choreographed array of local vendors carrying on a practice passed on through the generations, passing through an intricate waterway, woven through villages and generations on their long-tailed boats, the floating markets is an absolute treat. Every day, as reliably as the sun rises and the water flows, mostly elderly women make their way in their boats, towards the central trading area. Over a period of a few hours, every morning, these women, with their beautifully-aged faces and determined spirits, show off their precious goods – from fresh fruits to freshly fried bananas, to fragrantly-accented noodle dishes, to finely crafted textiles and traditional artifacts, come together to sustain their livelihoods, all the while offering onlookers a gently drifting voyage for the senses. The vibe is social, commercial, unforgettable. The sight is a scattering of color, texture, culture. It is a must see, a must inhale, a must touch, a must feel. read more
