The weekly pola village fair how do I find and experience a real local market not the tourist one

Market trader so let me take you to the real pola What the pola IS the pola is the weekly open air MARKET DAY that rotates around towns and villages a centuries old institution where farmers traders and villagers converge to sell and buy it is the authentic beating heart of local commerce not a tourist thing at all the whole district comes out it is loud colourful crowded and utterly real When and where each town or area has its pola on a SET DAY of the week (a different day in different places so there is one somewhere near you most days) ask your guesthouse or any local where and when the nearest pola is they all know the Sunday pola the Wednesday pola etc some big town polas are famous the locals will direct you What is sold mountains of FRESH PRODUCE fruit and vegetables piled high spices dried fish and salted fish rice and grains in sacks textiles and cheap clothes household goods plastic ware tools pots fresh meat and fish areca and betel sweets and snacks plants and seedlings basically everything a village household needs it is a feast for the senses Can a visitor wander and buy ABSOLUTELY yes you are welcome to wander and buy you will be a curiosity (few tourists come) and met with smiles and friendly curiosity buy fruit by the heap haggle gently and good naturedly (the bargaining threads a little back and forth is normal and expected but stay fair and warm it is not the hard sell of a tourist market) bring small notes Etiquette and tips go in the MORNING when it is freshest and liveliest (it winds down by afternoon) dress modestly be respectful with photos (ask or be discreet the photography threads) expect crowds and mud and chaos keep your bag secure in the press and embrace the bustle Food and fruit YES it is a brilliant place to try seasonal fruit (buy a bag of rambutan or mangosteen the fruit threads) and there are usually food and snack and tea stalls a short eat and a tea among the traders is a great pola breakfast Why it beats the tourist market the pola is REAL no souvenir stalls no tourist markup just the genuine rhythm of rural and town life trade as it has been for generations you see the actual food culture and economy The plan ask locally for the nearest pola day go early wander and buy fruit and produce haggle gently and warmly eat a short eat among the traders be a respectful curious guest and you experience the most authentic market in the country