Sensory Overload in the Tekka Market by Katie Wilkin

Before I boarded the plane I was greatly anticipating our trip to Singapore.

But when I came out of  the airport, and felt the humidity I began to think that maybe this wasn't the best idea after all. When we finally got the hotel I was ready to go get some food. When we got up to our floor I was amazed how small everything looked.

This is the view from the 11th floor, the floor we were staying on. There are twenty-one floors in the hotel. So you can imagine how high up you would feel if you were at the top floor. After we got settled in we went walking to go get some food. We meant to ride the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) to an outdoor food court. We only made it as far as the closest sushi restaurant before we crashed because of needing food. We found out later that we only had to make one more turn before we got to the MRT.

My worst memory of Singapore was going to the Tekka Market in Little India. The Tekka Market is called a wet market because they constantly wet down the stalls and floor.

When I first saw the Tekka Market I thought it didn't look too inviting, and the inside of it stank of dead fish and all the smells of the  different vegetables combined. I can't see how people can stand the smell.

When I walked by where the fish stands were, I thought how can they keep the fish and squid fresh in the dreadful heat.

 

 As I walked by fruits and vegetables I thought that the smell would be a whole lot better than the fish, but it ended up not being the best of smells either.

My favourite part of the Tekka Market was the clothing section. There were so many different dresses and colors it made my head spin.

 

I begged and begged mom to let me buy one, but she said we would come back later in the week to get what we wanted. Then it started to pour down rain, so mom let us get what we wanted.

It rained steadly for two hours and by that time everyone was ready to get out of the market.

When it was time to go home I was ready to go home, see my friends and get away from that horrible heat and humdity. I was really happy to get back on the plane and fly home.

p.s.  This blog was written entirely by Katie, who requested that her mom not change a single thing.

Comments

[Ross]

Katie, I'm glad you have some good memories of the Tekka Market. I think the rain brought out the worst of the smells. I loved your blog. Love, Dad.

[Amy Smith]

Great blog Katie! What a great way to start my day! Isn't it funny how smells can create the strongest impressions, even more than what we hear and see?

[Deborah]

Katie, I loved reading your post about the market. I read somewhere that our sense of smell is very strong and is closely intertwined with our memory. Thanks for sharing about your experience.

[Shanda]

Dear Katie, I am proud of your writing skills. My favorite part was when you were shopping and your mom said wait until later in the week to buy things but then it rained and she changed her mind. It made me laugh.
I know you are a big help and blessing to your Mom. I'm glad you are having a good time there in Australia! You sure are learning a lot.