It is quite ironic that my Friendly Friday Challenge Co-host, Sandy, should give us the prompt, Market this week as I was just looking through my photos of the wonderful Market Hall, in Helsinki, Finland.
Finnish Markets
Where the Hungarians are spoilt for choice in varieties of Paprika in their markets, Helsinki is spoilt for choice in terms of Salmon.
Me, being Australian, have only really known three varieties of Smoked Salmon – Tasmanian, Norwegian and Danish Smoked Salmon.
My eyes opened as wide as saucers when I saw the contents of the cabinets in the Helsinki Markets, the day I arrived in the Finnish capital.
I remember it is not just ordinary salmon, because the thing that struck me about Finns, was that they had taken Salmon to a whole new level, like as in Heinz 52 different varieties.
Now I love Salmon, so I was pretty happy with this, until I realized how hard it would be be to choose which one to buy! I needed help to choose between Tsar’s salmon, Cold Smoked Salmon, Flamed Salmon, Lemon Salmon and Rose Pepper Salmon, etc. and in the end, feeling rather befuddled, I settled on Cured Salmon with Basilic. With a large helping of Salmon Soup? How could I resist?
You need to know that the people of Helsinki eat a good deal of fish, freshwater fish, that is. Even sometimes three times in a day. So when I think of Helsinki, I think of Salmon, and lots of it.”
StPA – forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2016/09/17/helsinki-travel/
Polish Markets
In Poland, you may not see as much Salmon, but you will see a delicous form of smoked Sheep’s Cheese and lots of traditional style products for sale in Zakopane in the Tathra Mountains.
Japanese Markets
In Japan, the markets were absolutely full of many varieties of seafood. For the Japanese, seafood is a staple. It is a shame my travelling partner dislikes fish!
Australian Markets
Meanwhile back home in Australia, the sun is shining, (as always) and the markets continue with a Covid safe plan for the moment. For how much longer, we are unsure.
Something to Ponder About 
Good shots of one of my favourite subjects
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So you like street photography?
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Yes – and markets. I have featured quite a few.
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Fabulous selection around the globe
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Thanks for stopping by, Sheree.
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My pleasure
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I love markets—all markets.
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They are fun to visit.
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I enjoyed the diversity and the closing photo with the pre-covid masks.
I am so used to masks that it almost felt weird to see that photo – ha
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I like that crab on the building for the Japan series – also – the cutting boards in the photo from the Polish markets stood out. They were almost the color of bread..
but enjoyed the variation in markets and reminds me of similar and different
🙂
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How strange that you are now used to masks! We are not wearing them here at the moment, Yvette. A few people are here and there. But we do not have any new cases until 2 days ago, from one negligent worker. We are in a bubble atm, the borders are closed and we hope to hold out until a vaccine is produced.
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oh thanks for sharing – and I don’t wear a mask at home or while walking – but do when going places – and find that it feels natural after the first few hours – guess we get used to t like the we get used to wearing jewelry etc (threshold)
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and hoping a vaccine comes soon
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Absolutely agree, Yvette. I had to wear a mask at the Apple store recently and it made me feel a little faint after about 40 minutes of wearing it. They are much thicker than the masks I was used to wearing as a theatre nurse in years gone by.
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oh wow – that must have been terrible – and I have two cotton masks that are only good for about 20 minutes – and for longer bouts – I have a favorite mask – and get this – it is some sort of children’s mask.
I was in Rochester NY in July and “by chance” bought on the masks. It is layered soI guess flyer or extra cloth layer can be added (have you seen those types of masks?)
and the elastic has little guards to adjust the size – so it just fits so well – and the best thing about that mask is the breathability of the fabric..
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It has some weird pattern (not a loud one) and we just ordered two similar children’s masks (in black) online – but not sure if they will be the same – hoping because it does matter – and the thicker ones could makes us all feel faint
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It a good thing that you can order online! The ones you described with the gusset and adjustable straps sound the best.
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Oh I am sorry you cannot order online – 😦
I will keep you posted (have you considered making any)
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No it is okay, Yvette. I don’t need any myself. You just mentioned buying some kids masks online.
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Just so you know … three types of smoked salmon is x3 more than I know. Whats the difference?
One of the best seafood markets i visited was Sydney’s Fish Market. What an amazing variety of fresh fish and shellfish. I so so wanted to buy some and take it home to cook. Unfortunately i was staying in a swanky hotel.
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Can you believe I have never been to that market in Sydney? I didn’t realize it was so diverse. Unlike the flavoured varieties in Helsinke, my version of three types of smoked salmon was a tongue in cheek comment, the only difference being the location from whence they came. A little taste perhaps, as the Norwegian tastes better – especially in Gravlax. However, I saw a documentary recently that made me re-think my obsession with salmon.
There is also this video that popped up when I went to look up the Norwegian documentary – it is from 2013 so I can’t say how accurate it is now. It is here if you want to take a look – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTCQ2IA_Zss&list=PLsjVt6TDFPX_tV76vKi9PURw7ZUuCEgqR
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I’m aware of the impact of salmon farms in BC. That video could be right where we live on Vancouver Island. There’s a moratorium on farmed salmon in our little town. At the local co-op the manager said he had to stop selling farmed salmon or else he’d get lynched 😉 Only wild caught salmon is sold. I actually wish the fisheries would figure it out. There must be a happy medium, a way to farm responsibly. Wild is nice but those stocks should be available for the wildlife. Some types of orcas are dying out because dwindling supplies of the King Coho.
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I know what you mean, Sandy. Trying to juggle environmental concerns with the needs of the population often comes down to dollar amounts ruling over all. If it not economically viable to fish salmon in farms, they won’t do it, or they will find a way to do it without the harmful effects. The news of the toxicity of farmed salmon hasn’t entirely filtered down to Australians, yet. Not to the general population yet, as there is so much call for it and at a premium price. There is no wild caught salmon here that I am aware of. There is only one tinned variety of wild caught salmon and that I think is from up your way somewhere.
Is there a taste difference between farmed and wild caught?
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Theres a huge difference in taste. Farmed salmon is fattier, softer in texture, lighter pink colour and milder in flavour. Wild salmon is a brighter red, tighter grain and less fatty, so easier to overcook. Unless it is freshly caught wild, i actually prefer cooking farmed salmon. Store bought wild isnt worth the price … $79/kg!
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Wow! That is a bit pricey, but then it if it wild, and responsibly caught, I would pay that – on occasions. Certainly not once a fortnight or once a week that I eat salmon now. I guess the wild caught is much healthier. It sounds horrific that they have to spray the farmed salmon with pesticides.
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There are many videos out criticizing the way fish are farmed but overall we would not be too happy to pay for the catch of ‘wild fish’. Overall, there are strict controls in place to make sure that fish is of a high quality. I recently bought fresh sardines and at a very reasonable price and they were beautiful.
One person pointed out a video very critical of Vietnamese basa fish which is sold here in Australia at very reasonable prices. I watched the video which was taken twelve years ago and used today to put people off buying those very nutritious fish in order to protect their own markets.(the US). Turned out that at a ‘blind tasting’ of fish in the US, the majority preferred the imported Vietnamese basa fish.
The Vietnamese now have very strict control over their fish farming.
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Interesting comment on the fish industries, Gerard. I did not know this about the Basa fish. It just pays to research the topic well instead of believing one lone report. I would be willing to pay for responsibly farmed fish, even if that was at a premium price.
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I’ve visited several food markets of various types over the years and have always loved the concept. Even now, in this age of fast and processed foods, I feel old fashioned food markets still serve a purpose. Sadly, there aren’t too many in my local area.
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What a shame there are many markets near to you. I hope they catch on to the idea – maybe with Covid they will try the outdoor experience – it is a bit easier to social distance when outside and there is the fresh air as well. Beneficial for all. You also make a good point about markets usually offering freshly made food. Some markets even specify that everything has to be hand made, food or otherwise. No processed stuff. A good think these days, as you say.
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Hello.
Great Helsinki post again.
We love markets and visit them also elsewhere in Finland when travelling. Salmon, yes, we love it. Did you know that there are also in Helsinki this happening?
Herring fair
Happy Sunday!
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Thank you Sartenada. I can see why there are so many varieties with Finns really enjoying their salmon. The Herring markets must not have been operating when I was there. There were markets on the square near the Amanda statue but not on the boats nearby.
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Hi Amanda, hope you are keeping well. What a fun post! I really enjoyed traveling with you and checking out the markets and their produce. I have not been to Finland or Japan yet – boy do those markets look inviting! I was fortunate to visit Zakopane when I was 15 and exploring Poland with a Polish friend and her family. I did miss out that cheese produce! But I did enjoy the amazing lakes nearby, hope you got to revel in their beauty, too. Have a great week 🙂
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How fun that you visited Poland with native friends! The best way to see the nation.
Zakopane was delightful but no, I didn’t see the lakes! Have you blogged about it? I would be interested in reading about them.
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Yes, I totally agree with you! Getting shown around by locals is a real treat. I might blog about Zakopane in the future – I hadn´t really considered it yet, as it´s been 20 years now! My memories might be a bit fuzzy. We´ll see 🙂 Have a great day, Amanda! And thanks for your encouragement!
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Looking at your photos might jog your memory more. Your observations would be fun to read.
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Thanks 🙂
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While on a 7-day cruise ship, we got to taste the Alaskan smoked salmon, which was done using oak wood– which I now use with other meat smoker recipes.
Art
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Oak wood smoked salmon sounds so very delicious, Art! You have my mouth watering now. I assume that variety would have been wild caught?
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What a colourful & delicious selection of market scenes, Amanda! Wonderful places to soak in sights & sounds & smells!
Visited your Christchurch Cathedral post – it is so fortunate you have photographic keepsakes for this monument & heritage building. Yet another timely reminder how important photographs can be.
I tried to leave you a comment there but WP wouldn’t let me – I wonder if it is because the Comment section is closed.
Anyhoo, wanted to thank you for sharing the history of the swastika – I had no idea it was a much ancient symbol! There is a school here that uses the symbol on their crest and I’ve rolled my eyes at it but now I wonder if they are referencing the older meaning.
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Thanks for alerting me Ju-Lyn about the comments. I borrowed a paragraph from a draft post so it had an earlier date – one after which comments were closed. I have adjusted that now. I am not sure which one you looked at – there were two on Christchurch.
https://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2020/07/31/christchurch-cathedral-now-lost/
and https://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/christchurch-before-the-quake/
You are correct that it is valuable to retain photographs for historic purposes. I was surprised at the meaning of the swastika symbol myself and it is possible that the school dates from those Victorian times, perhaps?
Hoping the comments works now.
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Great photos! I head to Zakopane in less than a week, hoping the markets are open despite corona!
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To Zakopane? Well, lucky you. I wish I had half your luck. It is a fabulous place. Are you skiing?
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Yes shall be skiing 🙂 hoping to be instructing there if everything goes good!
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How exciting! Have you skiied there previously?
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Nope, my first time! Always exciting skiing at new places!
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I was directed to this post and all the links are working perfectly!
Great post on the markets which I missed!
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Thanks Aletta. Good to know that the post checks out. It was a fun challenge.
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It is amazing
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