My friend S. suggested that Borough Market is the market for food lovers. Hey, that's me. The first time I tried to go the market was closed for a couple of days around the New Year but I was determined and went back a few days later.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Borough Market veggies"]<a title="Borough Market veggies by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6702162421/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6702162421_c02878a318_z.jpg" alt="Borough Market veggies" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

I am glad that I did. The colors were wonderful. The flavors both sweet and savory. The whole experience was delicious.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Borough Market"]<a title="Borough Market by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6702175823/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6702175823_d90613b9da_z.jpg" alt="Borough Market" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

It was so interesting to see people doing clever things with food but I liked the sense that I got that this market was a mix of tradition and innovation. Moreover, everyone was having fun. There were tons of people but no one was pushy. There were lines but people stood in them. There were samples and people politely took one and then talked to the vendor.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Owl Shortbread at Borough Market"]<a title="Owl Shortbread at Borough Market by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6701933639/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6701933639_9639bfb029_z.jpg" alt="Owl Shortbread at Borough Market" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

I'd wished that I had access to a kitchen of any sort because everything looked so good. <!--more-->The American in me also just about died when I saw fresh cranberries. I love cranberries during the holidays and they just aren't that easy to come by in Bulgaria. Last year I saw them once at Hit. This year I never saw them.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Shopping at Borough Market"]<a title="Shopping at Borough Market by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6701831033/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6701831033_c264f544ec_z.jpg" alt="Shopping at Borough Market" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

The crazy person in me thought about buying some but really, what I am going to do with a bag of cranberries while traveling!? It's not like I am going to be eating them straight out of the bag.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Borough Market and a car in the air"]<a title="Borough Market and a car in the air by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6701800187/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6701800187_3b835a86e8_z.jpg" alt="Borough Market and a car in the air" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

So I admired.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Pot Pie"]<a title="Pot Pie by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6701894529/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6701894529_94ceacb70d_z.jpg" alt="Pot Pie" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Yum, yum Guinness Stew"]<a title="Yum, yum Guinness Stew by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6701955655/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6701955655_ac76fdc59f_z.jpg" alt="Yum, yum Guinness Stew" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

I also bought a big dish of stew. Guinness stew to be exact. I guess the base of the stew is made out off Guinness beer and to this chunks of beef, cubed potatoes, carrots and leaks are added. This was really tasty and heartwarming. I was a little nervous about spilling this stew right down the front of my coat. I was given a big dish of it in a styrofoam container with a wooden spoon/fork combo. Given the fact that the container was very full, the market was crowded and I know myself I thought I was doomed but somehow I escaped unscathed.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Hot Mulled Cider"]<a title="Hot Mulled Cider by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6702194535/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6702194535_95bbf5599e_z.jpg" alt="Hot Mulled Cider" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

Then I had a cup of hot mulled cider. Yum, yum.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Sweets at Borough Market"]<a title="Sweets at Borough Market  by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6702168871/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6702168871_10a60e1415_z.jpg" alt="Sweets at Borough Market " width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]

I'd definitely go back to the Borough Market. It felt local and accessible. Sure there were plenty of tourists there but it wasn't too much. Yes you could easily eat too much but the market itself was very do-able in terms of size and scope.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="Oliveologly at Borough Market"]<a title="Oliveologly at Borough Market by karolinka.sofia, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6701835741/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6701835741_6dc5a62098_z.jpg" alt="Oliveologly at Borough Market" width="576" height="384" /></a>[/caption]