Rediscovering Legazpi Market

There is only one day of the week when I set my alarm clock. That’s Sunday, when I have to get up early and put on my makeup, when I must leave the house early and set up my market stall. How strange to have to do all that on the one day I should be resting.

Last Sunday I went to the Legazpi Market and looked around. There has been such a tremendous change. The market has grown to about twice its original size. There are many new stalls, both for food and dry goods. Because my own stocks are running low — anting-antings, which require my time to make, and books, which require my time to organize — I decided to take a walk through the market. From my stall at the extreme side of the market, the one with its back to Herrera St., I turned left and walked up, stopping off at Tong’s to buy my Sunday cup of coffee. That’s standard with me. I drink coffee once a week on Sundays and I get it at Tong’s. I love their delicious coffee.

Then I walked on. At the end of the corridor was Casa Goni, who sells paellas, lengua and arroz a la Cubana, which I also love. That’s what I usually have at lunch either from them or from another source at the other end of the market. Both delicious. I passed by the dried fish, whose vendor offered me a taste of his product. Good! I walked farther up until I came to an ice cream place. It had gotten so hot, clearly the beginning of summer, so I bought myself a little cup of ice cream to eat as I ambled on. Dulce Gatas was the flavor I chose because it is made from condensed milk. I used to cook cans of condensed milk when I was breastfeeding 45 years ago. My God, where did all those years go?

I passed by the new booth of Popsicles. I tried one a few weeks ago and didn’t like it. But I must try one of the fruit flavors, I thought, as I leisurely walked onwards to see new people selling roast chicken with mushrooms, bangus made into sardines, also mackerel prepared interestingly. We hit another Spanish booth that also sells paella, where I bought morcillas for the lentils I once intended to cook — and still waiting to be cooked. I was offered a teaspoon to taste the lovely desserts — bread pudding with a touch of crème brulee. I passed the freezers selling steaks and frozen fruit — raspberries, blueberries, you name it. Took me up another corridor where I visited the store where I once bought Peking duck, which was good enough, but I was drawn to them because they sell a radish salad like my grandmother used to make. Theirs is the closest to her recipe.

You can buy all sorts of vegetables — organic at one end of the market, regular at the other end. All sorts of food — organic at one end, regular at the other. You can also buy all manner of fruit from the big fruit stand in the center of the market. Last Sunday I bought cherries and little mangos to suck on. I saw she also had marang but stopped myself. First, I must finish my cherries.

And clothes! They now have a booth with short Japanese-style blouses and long pants that are like skirts that both men and women can wear. That store is right across mine and I sit and watch people try on things. Then suddenly I see them try on something whose print I really like. I send a message to the one who’s trying it telling her not to buy that piece. It’s a silent message, like witches send. I watch through the corner of my eye. When she leaves, I give her around five minutes then I rush over, pick out the piece and buy it.

They also have crocheted tops and jewelry. They have a shop that sells resin shells. Another that sells little clay lights of all shapes and sizes. They have one that sells greeting cards. Another one that sells quilts. There are so many new stores in this market. Oh, yes, and since I last wrote, we have a new tentmate, Tanya, who sells her own paintings with us. There is a natural soap manufacturer who sells there next to someone who sells T-shirts. There are the goods sold by Edwin, wonderful things for your desk, mango sconces, all in red or brown.

The market is so much bigger now. The tents are also newer. They have given us new tents and we are just so grateful. In the end of my walking around I sat under a pretty balete tree full of yellow berries. I didn’t know balete trees bear fruit! Joey Casimiro, friend and manager of the market, sat with me. This is the new Turkish section. Here you find the Turkish baklavas and other delights. Here they serve delicious Turkish coffee with grounds looking like mud at the bottom and a spice tea that’s supposed to be outstanding for your health. And here you can smoke apple-flavored tobacco using water pipes. As curious as I am, I decide to withhold. I gave up smoking eight years ago and I don’t want to get tempted now.

Yes, the Legazpi Market has grown. There are also more shoppers now. The only disadvantage to us sellers is we have lost our lunching place. We used to have such fun lunches in the area immediately across our nooks. Now that space is occupied by stalls. And how about sales? Last Sunday I sold exactly one necklace. Never mind. I enjoy being at this market and making friends. It’s worth setting my alarm clock for.

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