Just Blogging Around

‘Jalan Pasar’ simply means Market Road.

Jalan Pasar is another place that I love to show you around in Bagan Serai. Unlike the town, the whole market place itself had a HUGE change throughout the years, sorta.

This sign board placed here symbolises Jalan Pasar starts here:

Years ago, the Council was trying to suck people’s blood by charging for the parking fee. HELLO! This is just a Bagan Serai! People here don’t make millions like those in big city! Give us a break, will ya? ;) The council wanted to charge the people, why don’t they provide a proper parking spaces at the first place? *pui* Anyhooow, the practice didn’t last for any longer because clearly there was lack of consistency in both council and the people, I guess.

 

 

 

This is the beginning of the Market Road. I appologize for the less than perfect view. I reckon the view will be better if the ‘longkang’ (drainage system) was filled up with water. :P  

There were few shops burnt down due to some accident. According to the locals back in 2003(?)*ahem! clear the throat..I’m start kepoh-ing now* I was told by the locals… there was an ‘ah pek’ (old man) who smoked some kind of grass behind the building, left the pot behind unattended, and  the building caught fire. BANG!!! 3 sibilings and mother died in the accident. They were found all hugging each other. Drama eh. *amitaba*

I’m not sure if the ah pek thing is true..but the death is a fact.

 

 

There aren’t many old shops around.  Those that I can recall are the bicycle shop and some chinese grocery shops along the road.

 

 

And of course, ‘Heng Kuan’–one of the old retail shops. Heng Kuan was establised back in 60s, if I’m not mistaken. According to my maternal family, he was the first one to sell bread in the town. Heng Kuan was a generous, kind man. He gave alot to the society; role model of mine. He passed away in 1991. But his name is still mentioned every now and then.

Heng Kuan is my maternal granpa, by the way. :)  

 

 

Seong Seong Club is a social club established back in the old days, where old time businessmen spent their time playing mahjong after work. I tried to take more photos from the inside, heck! the young dude didn’t allow me to do so! what the hell man! And that dude, not even from Bagan Serai! Anyway, I later found out some local witnessed old ghost/spirit playing mahjong..it was pretty scary, eh? 

 

 

Next to Seong Seong Club, there was a coffee shop, which I never remember its name. I was told by the owner, she was going to terminate the business after Chinese New Year 2007.

I pretend to ask her about this painting if she want to sell it to me. Cheecky bugga.

Folks, this caligraphy was written since ~100 years ago!!! It is a piece of priceless antique!!!

She was amazed when I asked about it. And there were plenty of old old old men who were sipping coffee, overheard our conversation, trying to get involved (kepoh) too.

They all wanted to find out how I knew about this ‘hidden secret’, who the hell I am, where I from, some of them were quite offensive, they thought I must be the outsider who was trying to pinch the caligraphy or something. Uh uh ah ah! Too many questions! I ended up have to tell them, I am Heng Kuan’s grandaughter. AHHH! Bring my dead grandpa name..shut their mouth up. =_=||| 

When my grandpa name was mentioned, they treated me super nice and friendly. They even showed me other ‘antiques’ around. Celaka punya Bagan Serai mentality.

 

 

Back years ago, there were plenty of hawkers running their breakfast along the big longkang. However, all of them had been moved to a new location. Ta dah!!!! Bagan Serai has it first eva FOOD COURT now.

Originally, this location was a wet market; it had been transfered to elsewhere, somewhere behind Tong Wah Primary School. I never visited the wet market ever since it was transfered to a new location. 

 

 

There are few hawkers who are still around since my kindy time. My all-time favorite is that middle age guy who sell Loh Mee and Hokkien Mee (noodle). The taste of noodle remain the same thru’out sooo many years, and it is always yummie.

By the way, in general, this is how the hawkers pack soupy noodle:

 

 

The Fried Keow Teow stall is still run by the same person, but I never liked it. I was looking for the lady who fried Fried Kueh Kak..sigh, no signs of her. The stall that sells drinks (recalling from memory, drink available in sequence: pineapple drink, chao keuh (aka leong fun), chendol, bali, soy bean, soy bean jelly) Correct me if I’m not right.   

 

 

Market doesn’t look happening during the day, except breakfast. I didn’t usually grab a bite from market ‘cos mum get most of our brekky done. I usually buy almost everything (from one end to another) few days before I fly out from home, stuffing myself with all the food, drinking freshly made soya milk like no tomorrow…all the ‘hard work’,  just to make sure I don’t miss out any yummie local food.

For most of the Chinese, the highlight is 2 days before CNY, where there are plenty of things going around in market ol’ place. This year this time, plenty of chinese floak back to Bagan Serai from all over everywhere on earth. It is time to check out (kepoh) people…who got married, who got pregnant, who got gf/bf, who become thinner/fatter/long hair/short hair/gay/lesbo….Bagan Seraians will b*tch to the max whenevr they can, this is BS– all can Bull Sh*t mann! Hahhaah. *joke*

Honestly, I don’t enjoy going to night market especially people starring at me, thinking I’m a bloody tourist. Alas, I do carry a camera with me, but it doesn’t mean I am a weirdo. So ’sam pat’ can? Plus, my friends mostly won’t be home till the day before 1st day of CNY..not much fun really.

 

 

Comparing to old days..the  night market is more entertaining. They now even set up a big stage, they do all the dancing thing, singing. All the superstar wannabe..hey! I am not teasing at their skill..to some extend, I sorta look high up upon those young gals who dare to dream BIG, and have the gut to perform infront of dirty oldmen. The gals I saw this yr when I went home was okay. Few years back..seriouly, I had no-eye see. They dressed up so sexy and showed skin all over everywhere until VIP sponsors sitting at the front row wanna vomit blood. It is Bagan Serai afterall, man. Give those oldies a break, okay? They did donate plenty of money, but it doesn’t mean there is a necessity to sacrifice dignity.

 

 

Lotsa housewivies do their last minute shopping here..whereas for the young folks, its more like checking out ppl, acting ‘cool’.

 

 

More food..  

 

 

I didn’t feel eating much when the crowd were jampacked everywhere. However, there is one thing I would never give up trying is : Ban Chang Kuih (Chinese Pan Cake) 111.

 

 

And this Ah Pek..been selling Ban Chang Kuih for many many many years! and he is still ALIVE!  

 

 

Gosh! This is fantastic mannn! 

 

 

Nowhere on earth you can any better Ban Chang Kuih like this…. Nowhere on earth you can find a place like Bagan Serai, too.

 

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