Search here...
TOP
Africa Destinations Indonesia

The time I’ve visit a market in Java

2828 Views

I’ve always been a strong believer that if you want to know a country you have to get to know the locals, even if the language sometimes doesn’t help. It was with this thought in mind that I headed towards a market in Java.

I don’t know if it was pure luck or if it was the time of year, but when I entered that commercial place in Pacitan, East Java, there wasn’t a single foreigner in sight.

The day starts very early for the Indonesian people. It isn’t strange that at 5:00 am the streets are already full of life. Therefore, when we arrived at that market in Java, around 10:00 am, the feeling was almost that the party had ended.

Market in Java

Some stalls were already closed. Maybe business had been good and the owners decided to go home early. Or maybe it was time to give up sales for the day and try their luck tomorrow.

But those who remained at their place, persistent, soon threw smiles at the tourists who had just entered, aka, us.

Big smiles in this market in Java

In that place, I couldn’t find a soul that spoke English, but that didn’t stop them from showing their products and attract buyers with all those colors and smells.

Here I tested my new Fuji. After showing them my intention to take their photograph, some were more extroverted, others shyer. But they end up saying yes to the camera pointing. The key moment was when I turned the camera and showed them a preview display of the image I had captured. The laughter and the comments between them were instantaneous.

Market in Java Market in Java Market in Java Market in Java

It was a lady who was sitting on the floor that caught my attention during the visit to this market in Java. She had no shop or vending stale. She was just sitting next to the fishmonger’s door. She wasn’t begging for anything. She was selling some greens that she probably had picked from her humble backyard. I asked to take a picture and initially, she didn’t want to. Maybe out of shame. But then she accepted. When I showed her the image, she laughed, hiding her smile so I wouldn’t see the few teeth she had.

Market in Java

From this market, I bought some souvenirs. I would like to have reciprocated all the kindness those people showed me, but my luggage didn’t leave a lot of space to get out of control. But what I brought home was a full heart and a sense of even greater appreciation for the people in that part of the world.

And you? Do you visit local markets when traveling? What was the most interesting market you’ve visited until now? Tell your experience in the message box below. I’ll love to read them!!

And don’t forget to share on your social media. Sharing is caring! 😉

GuardarGuardar

Marlene On The Move

Marlene Marques

Marlene is the creator of Marlene On The Move. A journalist by profession, she created the blog to share her adventures around the world. It is not unusual for her to set off to discover new countries and cultures with a surfboard as luggage.

«

»

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!