This image captures the lively atmosphere of the old market in Attapeu, in southern Laos. Seen from above, this corrugated iron covered market appears to be bustling with activity. Roofs of different colours, rusty or shiny, give an authentic texture to the scene. Underneath, you can make out colourful parasols, motorbikes parked in disarray, and numerous small stalls set up on the ground.
This is where the locals meet to do their everyday shopping: vegetables, meat, fish, clothes or tools. The market is as much a social place as an economic one, where news travels as fast as the goods. Behind this hustle and bustle, traditional houses and recent buildings form the urban landscape of a town in transition between modernity and tradition.
Despite its simplicity, this market exudes local life, resourcefulness and conviviality. It is also a testament to the ability of rural communities to organise meeting places, exchanges and solidarity with the means at hand. It's a raw but profoundly human place that reveals the soul of Attapeu.
Passionate about photography, I travel the world in search of the most beautiful shots.
Currently in Thailand..
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