To The Market We Go (A Pictorial Story And Poem)
Life In Borneo
A lot of Steemians ask me how life in Borneo is. They are keen to learn the daily routine and how we live our lives here. It was a puzzling question for me because as far as I know our lifestyle here are quite similar to the rest of the world. The more I reflect on this question, the more I realised that while there are many similarities, there are many things that we do which we have taken for granted but which are indeed unique to foreigners.
Why Is The Wet Market Still Popular?
Despite the proliferation of modern day supermarkets where people can shop in comfort and style, the wet markets of Borneo are still very popular. It is not difficult to see why. At the wet markets, the prices of especially local products and products from the jungle are cheaper. In fact most supermarket do not stock jungle products, so most customers are forced to buy them at the wet market. The products sold at these wet markets are fresh, compared to the frozen meat and fish at the supermarket. There are also a variety of home made as well as handmade products ranging from cakes, honey to spices. The variety of products you can get at wet markets is almost limitless as I shall illustrate later.
For my household, our weekly routine is to go to wet market on Saturday mornings to get our household supplies for the whole week. This is usually supplemented by a trip to the supermarket during the week to stock up.
The top floor of the 2-storey market houses a hawker center and this where we normally have our breakfast before we start our marketing.
This stall is selling dry stuff, most of which can also be found in supermarkets. Notice the anchovies at the front which is sold by weight.
Banana and papaya for sale
Wide range of products
Customers have a choice whether to buy fresh pineapples or those which have their skin removed
Banana leaves are still widely used for packing and packaging of food. This is more eco-friendly compared to the use of plastic.
The vegetable which is hanging is called "petai" and is harvested from the jungles of Borneo.
You can even buy some furniture here as well
Preserved vegetables for sale
Different cuts of pork available.
Some customers say the fishmonger bears a resemblance to the American actor Vin Diesel.
Seedlings and potted flowers for those with green thumbs.
All done, our weekly marketing packed in the booth of our car.
To The Market We Go
It’s Saturday again
Time to head to the market
To replenish our supplies
We go with our baskets
The hustle and bustle of the market
There is an air of festivity
Housewives and customers
Shopping for variety
Numerous wares are on display
From the sea, prawn, crab and fish
Vegetables from the fields and forests
Meats, fruits, spices, and almost anything you wish
Ferns from the jungle
Homemade cakes
Even furniture
And talapias from our lakes
The goods here are fresh
We get value for money
Vendors are friendly
To the market every week with my honey
Do check out my previous posts
The Prostitute
What A Woman Says And What She Actually Means And My Poem “The Conversation”
Steemit Success: Celebrating My 700 Followers Milestone
Moments Of Truth
Prisons Of Our Minds
Spreading positivity one post at a time.
Charles
like this post...upvoted.... now resteeming for supporting you. 😃☺
Thank you my friend. I am glad you liked this post. I will check out your profile.
Of course I want to know! :-)
CHEERS! Thanks for sharing! :-)
Thanks for contributing to the One Human Basket community! You have received 100% percent upvote and resteem! :-) Cheers!
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Glad that you find it interesting. I was afraid that a routine task such as marketing might be too boring. I am glad to be proven wrong.
VERY WRONG.....LOL I love hearing about everyday life in other places around the world ! Perhaps I should do a "local life" post on my routine as a single, American woman in Oregon!? :-O
And why not? The rest of the world would like to know as well. Steemit is also promoting understanding between people of different nationalities.
The various foods are looking very good. The banana leaves use in pack is good deeds of the people.
Oh yes, the cakes and local fruits are delicious. The people here depends on the forest for various resources and so it is in their interest to take care of the forest. However, with modern lifestyle and technology, more plastic are being used.
I think the positive people are now able to realize that, being an ecofriendly is times demand. So it is positive aspect of life. Any way thanks for sharing. If you don't mind please give a look on my post. Your upvote and support means a lot for me.
If we want to protect our forests, we need to be eco-friendly. Will definitely check out your post.
Great writing. Love it. Aku orang Sarawak juak.
Hello orang Sarawak. Selamat berkenalan. Great that you liked my post. i tried to introduce Borneo to the world and doing what I can. I am from Kuching, and you?
I enjoyed the poem. Expressive but easy to understand. Thank you for sharing it.
Hi @deemarshall, thank you for taking the time to read my poem and give comments as well. Very much appreciated. I am glad you like the poem. Do follow me for more. Cheers.
Fresh produce is awesome. Cool poem!
That is exactly one of the reasons people go the wet market. Unlike at the supermarket, these produce are not pre-packed. You buy exactly what you need and thus avoiding wastage.
Your photos make me hungry! hhahaha. Question - I've never heard of the vegetable "petai", what does it taste like?
Yes, there are so many delicious cakes and food here. You actually need to remove the skin of the petai and eat the seeds. These seeds are normally eaten raw and taste a bit like long beans.
This market reminds me so much of the Korean supermarket my mother takes me to in New Jersey! We eat authentic food then shop. I personally love the selection of spices and seafood...and kimchi! I cannot wait to visit again. :D Thank you for sharing this. It brought back good memories. :)
Wet markets are still very popular in this part of the world, with so much vareity of vegetables, fruits, fish, meat etc
Nice post with lots of great pictures. I would love to eat some of those fruits :) The meat market looked a bit terrifing though... but that is normal :(
There are a lot of fruits sold here, both local and imported fruits. The meats are all fresh and not frozen.
@positivesteem got you a $4.26 @minnowbooster upgoat, nice! (Image: pixabay.com)
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