There was something friendly about the atmosphere at the market at Kovan this morning. Markets throughout Singapore have been busy these few weeks and will continue to be busy till the eve of Chinese New Year, busy attending to the marketeers who rush to grab ingredients for Reunion dinners. Prices have been rising as we approach CNY and by 7am in the morning half the stock of fish, pork, poultry and other groceries have been swept up.
New year goodies are in stock now. Nuts and herbs and dried goods. I spotted this awesome sweet that looks like Turkish delight. You only by this from the normal grocer who sells food stuff. There are shops that sell goods for praying which sell the sweet too. Don't buy it from them, its not meant for you to eat. But the sweet is really light and fluffy and awesomely delicious. It seems to melt in your mouth which is what I really love about goodies. Kueh Bankit, Pineapple tarts, sugee, sweets etc, I like them buttery, soft and fluffy. Be it crumbly or moist. >.
The crowd is good. You get in everyone's way, and everyone gets in your way but its a silent understanding between the busy customers that this is all because of CNY. Therefore its friendlier as compared to other times. And usually for the Chinese, we don't like to dampen our mood before the New Year (and during it). We want to begin the year with a good start, we must be happy and nice. That would bring in luck and fortune to the family.
For this modern day dweller, its just about the excitement I experience when walking through the market. So much going on and they all distract you from the other. For a person with a pretty short attention span, its a feast for my eyes. The harmonious exchanges brings upon a bigger wider smile. This should be self explanatory.
Chinatown should be even more bustling. That is a tourist destination and that its the CNY hub, it will be.
Think I'll go down to have a look next week.
