"Time to wake up", I hear her say. I'm chilly. I can hear the annoying sound from the tricycle engine, which by the way, partially woke me up. So, I got up to see my
Apu (Grandma) all dressed up. Telling me to get ready while putting on her make up. Me, barely awake and rushig to get ready so I can make it to the market. My
Apu goes to
Palengke (In Filipino, it means W
et Market) everyday. She gets up at 3 o'clock in the morning. She is a
Palengke vendor. She sells
kakanin. Kakanin is a snack that is made from rice. The word '
kanin' literally means rice. My
Ingkung (grandfather) is the one in-charge for making the kakanin. He makes four or five different types of kakanin. But they were known for their
kutsinta and
kapit (sapin-sapin). Both of these contain rice, one calls for glutinous rice, they also contain sugar, one has coconut milk in it. Both are steamed.
Kutsinta has a gelatinous texture while
Kapit has that sticky texture, hence, in the local dialect the word
Kapit literally means
to stick. Kutsinta is topped with fresh grated coconut.
Kapit on the other hand is topped with
latik, a by-product of coconut milk after it has been cooked.
By 3:30 a.m, her table is all set up. So, I sit back and observed. On my left, is my mom's table. She sells
cassava cake, a
kakanin made with grated cassava root or yuca. On my right is my grandfather's sister selling another type of
kakanin. Behind me are the
carenderia, I like to describe these as cafes that serves homecook meals. In front of me are the produce vendors. The background is very lively. In addition to this is the annoying or pleasing sound of karaoke singers. Man, they're everywhere.
By sunrise, Apu asks me if I'm ready to go help her get our food for the day, lunch and dinner. I follow her through the thick and restless crowd. I cup both my hands over my nose and mouth as I am greeted by the unpleasant smell of fresh slaughtered carcass. I just don't like the smell that's all. Did I mention I had to duck down to avoid any blood from getting on my face. I'm tempted to tell
Apu I should go back at her stall and wait for her there. But, I went o with her. Next stop is the Fish and Seafood Department. Oh boy. Same reaction. This time I try to hold my breath because I don't want
Apu to think that I can't stand being in the fish department. Just imagine you're surrounded by live and fresh fish. Whew, finally at the grocery section. No more smelly odor. Then home we go.
Today, I would like to go back in time to be with my
Apu and accompany her at the market. Even if it would mean going through the meat or seafood department. This time I will not complain. Because, I enjoyed being with her. I had great memories with
Apu. One of them is going to the market. Today, I'd be at the wet market in a heartbeat. Missing the convenience of fresh meats, seafood and produce the market has to offer That's why I'm excited for the opening of Farmer's Market this Saturday. I like being in the market. I don't sell
kakanins but I love being surrounded by fellow vendors and talking with the market goers.
I like Market days because it reminds me of the beautiful memories I had with my
Apu.
Books For your little one
Farmers Market by Paul Brett
To Market, To Market by Anne Miranda
***This post is dedicated to my beautiful Apu Rosie who is celebrating her birthday today. Thank you very much for the sweet memories. Happy Birthday. Wishing you more years of good health. I hope to see you soon.
