How We Failed at the Junction Night Market

This was my first time at the Junction Night Market in Toronto and I must say that it was quite an experience.

Disclaimer: I did not like it very much.

Looking back at it now, I find a few reasons for my disappointment, the biggest one of them being…

We came early in the evening

As a group of six young adults, we hoped to spend the entire evening at the market, tasting the food and drinks we saw being shamelessly promoted on the website. We thought that if we come early then we will have time to go through the whole market. As it was our first experience, we didn’t think much through it. Coming early in the evening meant that not only was there no entertainment yet, but also that…

What I wish I got to taste

There was a lot of people

When I say “a lot” I mean that the market was stuffed like a can of sardines in thick tomato sauce. We couldn’t get between people without dodging cups of beer and cutting between the lines, which some of the guests apparently did not appreciate. It was hard to stick together in this market madness and we only hoped to come out alive. What was making it more unbearable was that…

Kids were around

There were shrieks, outcries and creepy children’s laughter everywhere. Sure, the market was for everyone, but none of us were ready to deal with kids in our early 20’s. Seeing a bunch of them drawing on asphalt with chalk was cute, but that was not the idea of a fun night out at a Night market that we had in mind. But not even the kids could bother us as much as the fact that…

We got only one ticket each

The bustling market was full of smart people that bought more than one ticket for all the good food and delish drinks. Well, what can I say, we were newbies. We got one ticket each. But after we got the first taste of the Junction Night Market, we figured that it was okay, because we did not want to stay much longer anyways. My friends used their one ticket each for an Iced Nutella Latte and I used mine for a Kale and Rocitta Tortelli. It was lovely — organic, hand made and with no preservatives.

What dazzled me most was that amidst all the foods being cooked under the open air there were almost no smells, except for the occasionally spilled beer. And although there was no radio or music yet, there was no rude yelling either. The market really felt like a community. Everyone was having fun, enjoying good company and sharing in the experience.

Except for us. We wanted to leave ASAP.

Better luck for next time.