Wet Market

 26.03.2024

Around 7:30 am, my visit to dreamland was interrupted by a request: "Can you accompany me to the wet market?"

It was a promise I had made, contingent on being informed the night before—a condition that wasn't met. Nonetheless, I agreed, stating that I would need 30 minutes to prepare.

Being someone always on the go, accustomed to never saying no, this impromptu excursion seemed like a natural part of my routine. If accompanying would help cut down on grocery expenses, why not?

After the allotted time, I was ready, and we headed to the market.

Although it was only 8 am, the impending heat was palpable. Opting for public transportation over our car to avoid inconveniencing others, I didn't mind the bus ride thanks to the air conditioning. I concealed my puffy eyes behind oversized sunglasses, a testament to my not-so-morning-person status.

Returning to the island where I grew up after eight years in the city felt markedly different, but I refused to view myself as helpless or a failure for coming back. After all, being here wasn't so bad; it still felt like a better option than anywhere else in the world right now.

After a 45-minute bus journey, we arrived at the market. Stepping off the bus, the unmistakable scent confirmed our location: the wet market.

I've never been fond of wet markets due to the crowds and pushy sellers. Bargaining for a better price isn't something I enjoy, so it's usually either take it or leave it.

Our first stop was the vegetable stall, offering an array of produce from eggplants to tomatoes. I suggested we tackle the fish section first, as it's my least favourite part of the visit.

At the fish section, we settled on 6 kilograms of sardines, as I'm selective about fish and prefer varieties like tuna or sardines.

We then picked up some seaweed and clams for soup before heading to the spice section and finally the vegetable section. With my vegetable garden still in its early stages and the country experiencing drought, I'm hopeful my seeds will sprout and thrive.

At the vegetable section, I carefully stuck to my budget, only purchasing essentials like eggplants, bitter gourd, onions, and tomatoes.

Once we had everything we needed, we left the wet market. Though our initial plan was to grab breakfast at a nearby cafe, we exited from a different location far from the cafe, prompting us to skip breakfast and head straight home to save money.

Back home, after changing and resting for a bit, I found myself reflecting on the vast differences between my current life and my former city life. Despite the disparities, I realised it still not so bad after all.

X