Street Market on Carvajal & the Chinese New Year

Inspired by #MarketFriday by Hive account@dswigle

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All photos featured are from my collection. Tonight we are welcoming the Chinese New Year.

I'm back for another week of #MarketFriday. I'm featuring the street market on Carvajal Street, right in the middle of chinatown. As far as I know, it has been around for a long, long time. I remember the place even from my teen years. Since we're also welcoming the Chinese New Year tonight, I'm adding a few photos that were taken by my daughter, as she walked home from the office. I love how she supports my Steeming activities and helps me gather materials such as photos and videos from time to time.

Street Market on Carvajal Street

The street market on Carvajal spans a block from the main road Quintin Paredes St. up to the smaller Yuchengco St. at the back. My daughter's office is right along the main road, so that's where we usually come from. You'll be greeted with fruit vendors upon entering the alley of Carvajal Street.

You not only see fruit vendors but also some vendors selling fresh seafood like shrimps or fish.

Walking along Carvajal, you'll see some snack stores, meatshops, and small grocers that sell a variety of food products.

And yet more fruit vendors. Fruits are totally in season during the weeks prior to the New Year's. There's a local belief wherein households would try to have 13 different round fruits on the table to welcome the New Year. It is supposed to bring prosperity.

Those look like wreaths, but they are actually limes with a tiny pineapple and a red envelope. It's supposed to be a good luck charm to be hang at the door. Mom bought one for our home already during the calendar New Year.

You know you're nearing the end of Carvajal Street when you see this vegetable vendor. They actually have a huge stall. I believe business for them is really good. Honestly, goods sold on Carvajal Street Market are a bit pricey, but they are of good quality.

I personally haven't tried buying veggies from Carvajal. I think my mom has on occasions, but she said they were expensive. These vendors cater mostly to Chinese migrants in the area. In the Philippines, there is a misconception that when you're Chinese, you're rich. I'm part Chinese, but definitely NOT rich. LOL! ^_

My daughter and I were on our way to buy some food stuff at the nearby grocery store, and we found these Chinese New Year decorative items being sold there. There was quite a big market especially for lucky charms.

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The dragon dance was practicing earlier when my daughter happened to pass by. The Chinese New Year program would start at sundown.

There's the plaza where a stage was located for the New Year countdown program. They would have celebrities and performers later.

Lots of folks were already waiting for the start of the program. Some would probably be reserving an area near the front of the stage. And no, we wouldn't be joining the countdown at the plaza. We'll do it from the quiet comforts of home. ^_

Well, that's it for this week's edition of #marketFriday.