Malaysia, Ipoh - Sunday Flea Market

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Flea markets are always interesting places to visit when traveling. After all, it is at these markets where all manners of used goods, collectibles and antiques are sold. Flea markets are where old items deemed no longer important or useful by its current owners are given a new lease of life by its new owners.

I love to wander through flea markets, sniffing out a collectible or two to be bought and brought home as souvenirs of my travels. It is also at flea markets where I can mingle freely with the local crowd, share a chat or two with new acquittances and given an insight into the culture and lives of the local people.

A vendor pedalling used and refurbished electric fans, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

To me, a flea market is more than just a place to browse or buy used goods or collectibles. It is also a window into the heart and soul of the city which I am visiting.



My most recent visit to a flea market was  on a Sunday in Ipoh, the state capital of the Malaysian state of Perak. Here at the junction of Jln Veerasamy and Jln Horley, a flea market was just wrapping up as I reached the area to have lunch. This was a Sunday morning flea market and the stall holders had started to close their stalls at the end of their business day. Thus, I only had time to browse through some of the stalls and to take a few quick photographs before most of them were closed. I did not had enough time to shop and buy any stuff and thus left empty handed. But according to my friend, I did not actually leave the flea market empty handed. I had enjoyed the experience and left with the memory of the visit, one that I will cherish for a long time.

The junction of Jln Veerasamy and Jln Horley where the Sunday Flea Market was held, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

Author's note: "Jln" is the short form for the malay word "Jalan" which can mean either a path, walkway or road. 

An assortment of goods for sale, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

Stalls are located even in the side lanes, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

A dizzying array of toy model cars, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

Besides used goods, fruits and vegetables can also be found in this flea market, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

Stall holders starting to pack up at the end of the business day, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

Watches for sale, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

A local browsing the goods at one of the stalls, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

For some stall holders, the Sunday flea market was a family event where everyone at home joined in to lend a hand manning the stall, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

Buyers and sellers at a stall, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2019)

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