
Morning has just broken. Like in every market in Padang, that morning Pasar Tanah Kongsi enliven by regular activities. While merchants arrange their stuffs, buyers come with investigating eyes selected vendors they are going to shop.
Unlike other markets, Pasar Tanah Kongsi has something different in atmosphere. Not because artificial sound of swallows from old houses around which are transformed into swallow nests, but sort stuffs being sold are pretty different from what we found in other ones.
Chinese food aroma from food vendors make it more distinguished. The aroma of Kwetiau, fried noodle, fride rice with oriental recipe get along with visitors. In addition to its oriental atmosphere, most of the buyers and the merchants are slanted-eyed people.
Going shopping to Pasar Tanah Kongsi can be easy by getting on public transport with route Gadut-Pasaraya which costs Rp1500 to Rp2000. The location is not far from Jalan HOS Cokroaminoto, or Simpang Pulau Karam.
The market which is the same age with Padang Old City usualy starts the crowds in early morning. It ends its activities around 11.00-12.00. The busyness could be seen when we start step in to Kali Kecik, the entrance of the market. Along Kali Kecik we can see old buildings with colonialism touch. The name of Kali Kecik comes after the small drainage behind those buldings.
Shopping in Pasar Tanah Kongsi gives particular comfort. It is not as wet and dirty as other satelite markets. Vegetables merchants offer are fresh which mostly used for chinese food. Fruits are fresh and various and some of them are imported and so are fishes and meat. Since they are fresh and in good quality, it does make sense the price is little bit higher than normal.
Since the market is located in Chinese area, any stuffs for chinese ceremony are easily found in shops there. Those who loves to have chinese ornaments or like to cook chinese food can satisfy their passion there.
Despites its chinese majority and its oriental atmosphere, buyers and merchants are interacial. Yet, the exsistance of the market gives different color of social life and contributes particular value in tourism.Yuhendra
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