Seynat, one of the many food vendors in Toul Tom Poung, has been living off the market for the past 17 years. She has a big smile for everyone passing by her stall no matter whether one stops by or doesn't. Her life behind the scene must be getting better, giving her that big smile. As I waited for my food, I noticed the uneven roof on top of me letting all the sunlight in, making me sweat like hell. The old fan tried its best, but I had to drink a cool pop anyway. Inspite of the uneven roof and the heat, the sweat and the old fan, the crowd and the noise, Toul Tom Poung is like a guardian to Seynat, taking care of her and her family.
Representing our culture, our country, it is the silk, well-known worldwide for its high quality. Tourists always want the smooth and shiny silk as their souvenirs, showing off that they have been to Cambodia, kingdom of wonder-silk.
After fulfilling my tummy, I went wandering around the market like everyone does. Well, Seynat’s food wasn't that great, but it felt like my mom's cooking. I felt full.
Holding another cool pop in my hand, I wandered through the narrow n crowded path,the veggies and spices area appeared rite in front of me.
The Veggies and Spices Section:
I find this section the most lively with wet n green lettuces, violet eggplants, reddish peppers, tall n white mushroom, young n old tomatoes, fat n crooked potatoes, bearded pinky shallots, grass - like chives and my favourite - broccolis.
There are various kinds of traditional spices all over the place, unique taste and smell. They say size doesn't matter, taste matters.
The Fish and Meat Section:
Next, I walked into the valley of the main ingredients and I saw everything I need. It was better than the pantry in MasterChef. many from the countryside, habit of waking up before the rise, carrying the nets and stuff, trying to find some real fish and sell it here in Toul Tom Poung.
You will always find them very fresh n organic, caught by the hands of the fisherman, not by electrocution nor raised chemically.
With nature as the only seed money, they do tend to work as hard as they could in their farms. Chicken, pork, beef, it's the best spot. You can choose to buy any part you want, the butcher sure has got some knife skills. Having nothing except nature as their guardian, on their seats all day long selling for little profit, as their food, as their life. Life is good.
The Motorbike-Parts Section:
I'm now at the motorbike parts section, well, you know, the best part about Toul Tom Poung. I save 90% of my pocket money and put it in my piggy. But people from countryside save their money by buying motorbike parts and make themselves one. Combining it one by one together, like playing LEGO, the gear, the turning light, the fuel tank and even the seat, every single part is available here in this section of Toul Tom Poung.
The Handicrafts Section:
Only 5 cm tall and 3 cm wide but inspires me every time. Amazing, awesome, incredible, that's all I can say. Some people might not have the same perspective as me, but for me, I don't even think it's actually possible. The small and tiny sculptures really give the sculptors a hard time.
Foreigners would see many things; colourful bracelets, magnificent paintings, Ancient-like cutlery sets, candles both scented and mosquito repellent, Bags made of bamboo skin (perfect replacement for plastic bags), miniature predator-movie-characters and motorbikes crafted from left over metal nuts. This section is MADE IN CAMBODIA.
Some might end up in foreign countries, might be shared to the relatives. We don't know where they would go, but all I know is that these handicrafts make us bond together as one.
Only 5 cm tall and 3 cm wide but inspires me every time. Amazing, awesome, incredible, that's all I can say. Some people might not have the same perspective as me, but for me, I don't even think it's actually possible. The small and tiny sculptures really give the sculptors a hard time.
The Clothes Section:
T-shirts, pyjamas, jeans, are all here, affordable for backpackers, don't forget to bargain. Tourists mostly love the traditional loose cotton trousers with the printed symbolic signs.
Not authentic, but trendy enough to keep expats and locals coming back. They got everything you need, the clothes section is a huge part of Toul Tom Poung, that also makes it a huge part of us.
Really exhausted, soaked shirt, just trying to walk. A few steps more... There it is, come on man! 3 m away, HHHH...! Finally! So, I got to eat the Chinese pancake with leek fillings, NOM NOM, the sound of a hungry kid eating.
Out…
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