Outside the Rings: Navigating the markets of Pyeongchang

While the Winter Olympics are going on in the mountains, some serious haggling is underway on the coast.

One part of the Pyeongchang area that hasn’t been Westernized and beautified for the Winter Olympics is the traditional market in Gangneung, several blocks of street stalls operated for the most part by old women who are decidedly no-nonsense about selling their wares - from naturally dried octopus legs to goopy globs of seaweed freshly harvested from the local waters.

Markets like this one are a common sight in South Korea. And while the Pyeongchang promoters are hoping it will impress the foreign tourists here for the games, it hasn’t been given much of an Olympic makeover.

People shop at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A woman clean fish for sale at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A woman leaves a restaurant in Gangneung, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A vendor stands next to dried rays and other fish displayed for sale at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. One part of the Pyeongchang area that hasn’t been Westernized and beautified for the Winter Olympics is the traditional market in Gangneung, several blocks of street stalls operated for the most part by old women who are decidedly no-nonsense about selling their wares _ from naturally dried octopus legs to goopy globs of seaweed freshly harvested from the local waters. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Decorative lamps are reflected on a glass door as a man walks past a restaurant at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Markets in South Korea can range in size from simple gatherings held every five days or so in some rural areas to the massive Namdaemun market area in Seoul, which houses more than 10,000 stores selling anything from fur coats to sneakers to deep-fried shrimp balls. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A woman selling fish waits for customers at a market in Gangneung, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. One part of the Pyeongchang area that hasn’t been Westernized and beautified for the Winter Olympics is the traditional market in Gangneung, several blocks of street stalls operated for the most part by old women who are decidedly no-nonsense about selling their wares - from naturally dried octopus legs to goopy globs of seaweed freshly harvested from the local waters. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A man sells large bags of popped grains at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Markets like this one are a common sight in South Korea. And while the Pyeongchang promoters are hoping it will impress the foreign tourists here for the games, it hasn’t been given much of an Olympic makeover. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A woman shops for fish at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. While the Winter Olympics are going on in the mountains, some serious haggling is underway on the coast. One part of the Pyeongchang area that hasn’t been Westernized and beautified for the Winter Olympics is the traditional market in Gangneung, several blocks of street stalls operated for the most part by old women who are decidedly no-nonsense about selling their wares - from naturally dried octopus legs to goopy globs of seaweed freshly harvested from the local waters. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A woman walks in an alley near the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A man cleans a cow's head for sale at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Markets like this one are a common sight in South Korea. And while the Pyeongchang promoters are hoping it will impress the foreign tourists here for the games, it hasn’t been given much of an Olympic makeover. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A woman selling fruits waits for costumers at the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. One part of the Pyeongchang area that hasn’t been Westernized and beautified for the Winter Olympics is the traditional market in Gangneung, several blocks of street stalls operated for the most part by old women who are decidedly no-nonsense about selling their wares (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A woman walks outside the traditional market in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. One part of the Pyeongchang area that hasn’t been Westernized and beautified for the Winter Olympics is the traditional market in Gangneung. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

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Photos by Felipe Dana

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See these photos on AP Images