(published in Korea.net: Market Day at my Seoul Apartment Complex)
I have always been fascinated with the once-a-week Market Day happening in our apartment complex here in Seoul. You see, most apartment complexes here in Seoul have designated market days once a week and these are patronized by residents living in the area. I am one of them and I love the convenience this arrangement brings.
I live in the World Cup Park Apartments and it has 12 apartment complexes. The market vendors are grouped per day and per complex. For example, Monday could be the market day for Complex 1. There is a group of vendors allowed to sell different products: fruits, seafoods, vegetables, beans and root crops, snacks, cooked dishes. Sometimes, you can see books, clothes, kitchen tools, upholstery, plants and bicycle repair trucks. At other times, you can chance upon a vendor that sells all types of house lights.
In my case, the apartment complex where I live has Monday for its market day. It’s the start of the week and it is the perfect time to stock up on my fruit and food supplies. I have warmed up to the fruit vendors who always make me feel welcome. Aside from their fresh fruits, their smiles come in abundance. When I fail to buy from them for a week, they would try to ask how my week was or if I went somewhere. Amazingly, upon seeing my parents this summer, the lady remembered them from two years ago when they last visited. That was comforting. That gave me a feeling of community.
The fish vendors clean and cut the fishes I buy, as requested. No matter the season, the sea foods remain fresh. Yes, even in the peak of summer. These days, I bring a container with me to minimize the use of plastic bags and it’s a practical and eco-friendly arrangement we had been doing. I hope other residents would do the same.
The snacks area selling ttok, cheese sticks, sundae, and other traditional snacks are popular especially for students. They flock the area after school. On cool afternoons, the smoke that comes from the big stoves warm every one that stays to savor their delicacies. It’s a crowded and noisy area, filled with youthful vibes and laughter.
Winter, spring, summer and fall, the market day is a constant presence that ajummas, like myself, can always rely on. When the winter chill becomes too harsh, the vendors surround their areas with thick vinyl covers to protect themselves all day long. When Spring unfolds and the cold becomes tolerable, the covers go down and eventually disappear to give way to open spaces, especially when the heat comes on summertime.
It feels great to live in an environment that caters to the residents’ convenience. When my load is too heavy, it gets delivered right to my doorstep. When I struggle with my Korean, I get help and understanding. So when dusk falls, I go home with a sense of security and community.
I super love this blog. Na enjoy ko sya. Wishing me ganto din satin or ma experience ko yan.
alam ko meron din sa atin. sa Salcedo Village sa Makati every Sunday… I’m not sure lang kung may mga fish din sila… mga fresh fruits and vegetables lang ang nakita ko dati e.
very organized and clean market and the food looks sooo fresh, especially the fruits.
i especially trust the fruit vendor na ‘to. and they’re wonderful to me, too.
The market looks so neat and well-managed. Mas nakakagana mamalengke pag ganyan, ‘di ba?
opo. plus I don’t need to worry if I can carry my load. it gets delivered to my doorstep, too.
I really hope that one day,the Philippines will be able to have this kind of organise and clean market in the future. It will be more fun to buy things.
One thing I love in Korea is it’s clean, organized and safe talaga.
People buy food and having a clean market is good.
Hoping one day na magkaroon din nito sa Pilipinas. Mas nakaka-enjoy mamili pag malinis at maganda ang paligid.
My dream is to have a vacation to Seoul, Korea. This blog is perfect for me. I will read again once I can travel to Korea soon.
yes po… and come have your vacation soonest.
This is so awesome to have almost everything within your living place. I hope that we also have it here, clean, and comfy market place!
Namiss ko na mamalengke sa Korea! Super linis at mababait ang mga ahjumma! HAHAHA! Sinama ko mom and sis ko sa palengke nung bumisita sila sa Korea. Nag-enjoy din sila.
Nakakainggit yung market nila. Clean and organized. I hope someday our markets can be like this.
Shopping like this is fun coz the sellers are more enthusiasts and knows their produce. Plus, making friend with them is more fun.
It seems really nice to live in such a lively community like that. I don’t think we have like that in Manila, or at least in our area. We mostlybjust buy in grocery or eat out. City life is tough. Hahaha
in the Philippines kasi, either we do the grocery or the wet market:-)… but i did enjoy going to the wet market before.
I love those! As I don’t live in a complex or near one, I don’t have access to those but I wish I did. That’s one of the only things I miss from France – market day! The convenience of korea will always impress me… And it’s funny how you consider yourself an ajhumma 😂!