In my previous post I mentioned experiencing King's Day in the Netherlands for the first time and how I wasn't expecting the vrije markt (free market) as a recurring activity, where citizens sell used items at a reduced price. This happens all over the country and here are some of the highlights of the few free markets I passed that day.
The first free market we visited in Amsterdam was located in Bijlmermeer, where vendors sold the usual market items, that weren't necessarily pre-loved but were definitely at a good price. The food stands were the ones that stood out, especially those that sold Surinamese dishes and snacks, like ***viado***, ***saoto soup*** (soto ayam), ***teloh***, ***bara*** and ***samosas***.
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Because of the large Surinamese population in Bijlmermeer, the marketplace (that's also there outside of the holiday) sells a range fruits and vegetables consumed in Suriname, like ginger, peppers, ***antroewa*** (African, Surinamese or Vietnamese eggplant), okra and ***bhata*** (aubergine). A downside is that the sellers raise the prices because of the high demand for these goods.
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The vendor that caught my full attention was one selling Javanese-Surinamese snacks, with a deal I couldn't pass: three Indonesian snacks for five euro's. What I had to purchase was the in banana leaves wrapped steamed sweet snack [***dokun/dokoen***](https://surinaams-eten.blogspot.com/2014/08/dokoen-of-dokun-surinaamse-lekkernij.html), which is made from grated cassava and coconut.
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One lumpia and another pastry were my second and third choices. The dokoen was sticky and sweet and brought back memories from my childhood, because it's been years since I last had this snack in Suriname. The pastry and lumpia were also flavorful, but cold as the seller fried those earlier that day and not on the spot.
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Another treat we couldn't resist were the grilled chicken ***satays*** (skewered meat), that were hot off the grill and a sign of warmer seasons ahead. The satays were delicious and a nice change of snack option. The satay sauce I could do without though, because of the lack of spiciness and watered down flavor.
After that we proceeded to another part of Amsterdam - Vondelpark - where the free market experience comes through, with more citizens - children and adults alike - participating. Whether it is by selling (used) items, picknicks or by facilitating games. One game that was creative and funny was where a participant needs to throw an object through a hole in a carton, with the king's face on it and a text "The King Is Hungry".
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#### ***Ever experienced King's Day and/or a Vrije Markt? Let me know in the comments below*** 🤓.
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#### Also want to share your market experience? Check out [@dswigle's post](https://peakd.com/hive-196308/@dswigle/market-friday-presents-in-god-we-trust-all-others-pay-silver-or-gold) and/or [The Market Friday community](https://peakd.com/c/hive-196308/created) for more information.
### ***Chasse into the backstage! 💃***
