Sometimes I do shamelessly touristy things.

Walking through Chelsea Market for the sole purpose of taking photos was one of those things. It was also a highly enjoyable way to spend an hour Saturday afternoon. I could have been there for longer, but I always feel oddly conspicuous, a distinguishable face in a sea of faceless, anonymous individuals, when I’m wandering around alone with a camera.

Maybe that’s because I have a tendency to talk to myself when I’m feeling stressed or anxious. For example, I’ve recently developed a practice of recording voice memos on my phone when I can’t sleep and my eyes are too sore to turn on a light. I usually talk for 5-8 minutes, give the memo a name (all of them are currently called “Night” even though all were recorded on the past-midnight side of the day), and save it. Despite the procedure, I’ve never listened to any of them and have no plans to do so.

All that to say, I’m sure no one noticed me walking alone through the market taking pictures.

My Chelsea Market experience had four themes, all of which were enjoyable for their own reasons. Be sure to scroll through the photos because I captioned all but two of them.

Food (the most important aspect of any market):

Cambodian food is delicious, especially in curry form.

Examples of more eating options!

Tahini is the key ingredient in halvah, which is a hugely important food item to my family. The wheels of halvah here (and the Israeli shop owners) brought me right back to Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehudah Market.

Oh the places to go!

So much pasta in so many colors!

This spice and tea shop smelled so delicious. I wanted all of them. And I now know where to get all the Asian spices I can’t find in the grocery store!

Things to buy (which I actually did do because I have friends with birthdays coming up):

Of course, I headed straight for the bookstore.

I love the trust in people that is clearly on display on this sign.

Comfortable seating options

Really neat indoor “flea market” with artists and artisans managing their own stalls.

This shop sold all sorts of market goods.

A little bit of celebrity (because, after all, this is New York):

Cool industrial art and architecture (which is what defines this particular space):

I’ve always been drawn to water, especially when it’s inexplicably lit up in purple.

Better known as Nabisco!

Neat display case of Chelsea Market relics from years past.

Chelsea Market directory

I wonder when the Oreo sandwich became the Oreo cookie

I’m not completely sure what this is but I like it.

Christmas is coming!

There actually was a shoeshine stand

One thing I very much enjoy about New York is the distinct feel of each neighborhood and district. I’m starting to figure out where they’re located in relation to one another (I’m better in certain parts of town than others) and when I’ve crossed from one to the other. For better or for worse, I’m a New Yorker at the moment. Might as well know a thing or two about the place I’m living.