Central Market

 

My friend, Sharon Hayes, mentioned in a Facebook post that she had a layover in KL a few years ago on the way home from Africa, and had stopped at the Central Market, where she found handcrafted Malaysian goods.

Without her tip, we might have missed this Malaysian gem.  Haggling for a better price has pretty much gone by the wayside here, although you can often get some discount if you ask, or, if you plan to buy more than one of an item, ask “what’s the price for two?” and you’ll get a little price break.

Chinatown was an out-of-control circus.  Central Market is an exciting variety show of batik and lacquer, mother-of-pearl and cinnamon wood, basket work and leather goods, pottery and jewelry.`

Textiles prevail, though:  skirts, sarongs, dresses, scarves, wall hangings – all in a variety of weaves, colors and fabrics.

Beautifully woven rattan handbags catch my eye again and again, but the prices keep me from buying.  Perhaps I should reconsider – next time.

Bernie sips coffee and I make the rounds.  I have to see everything, and I must be the world’s worst tightwad when it comes to buying something for myself.  I’m also wracked by indecision when choosing gifts for others.  I’m probably no fun to shop with.

I don’t buy anything, but I’ll let my impressions settle, and I’ll be back.

While many of the items inside the market are native Malaysian handicrafts, the stalls outside along one side feature more designer fakes.

As we enter the stall area, we pass a restaurant that touts its “world famous fish-head soup.”   A fine delicacy appreciated by many, but not for me, I fear.

Sellers here are gentler and only become aggressive if we pause to look at their wares, unlike the stall men in Chinatown who called out “Madame” incessantly as soon as we were within earshot.