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We felt tired but happy after climbing the hill. The view was beautiful. Walking down was hard, and my legs hurt. Before leaving, we stopped to buy a drink because my friend and daughter were thirsty. When I saw papaya and banana, my kids' favorite, I smiled and said, “I’m going to buy something. After the hill trip, be sure to stop by Kampung Market to purchase something. Otherwise, you miss the real experience.” I talked to a Chinese uncle local in that place called Broga, he said all the things sold there are from the local farm, and all are natural. The market was busy and happy. Small stalls, nice smells, people buying, kids playing. I felt shy. We were strangers in hiking clothes, but the vendors welcomed us warmly. Some waved, others asked us to try their food.
The market felt alive, warm, and open. At the first stall, a Chinese uncle sold a stone lucky charm and a banana. He said the bananas were from his garden. I bought a comb of bananas and the stone lucky charm. He wrapped it in newspaper and smiled kindly. He did not ask me to buy more. Another stall was selling papaya and honey. A woman, and I also bought the papaya and the honey from her stall. Meanwhile, Rochelle, my friend, couldn’t resist the drinks stalls. She bought an asam drink to refresh her throat, and my daughter bought the drink. As we moved through the market, I noticed something important. Buying things here was not just about money. Every item had a story. A farmer said the rain hurt his crops. A woman selling herbal tea said it was her grandmother’s recipe.
Children selling small bookmarks said they were raising money for their football team. Suddenly. The hill showed us nature, but the market showed us the people. The food, the crafts, the fruits—they were all connected to the land we had just climbed. When we finally left, our bags were full—jam, scarves, snacks, and little gifts. But more than that, our hearts were full. At home, we ate the fruits I bought. It tasted sweet, and it brought back the faces and voices from the market. The hill gave us beauty, but the market gave us memory. Travel, I learned, is not just about views. It is also about people, their stories, and the little things you bring home. So yes, “After the hill trip, be sure to purchase something at Broga Kampung Market.”
