Badung
The Center of Tourism
Jimbaran
Market,
Bustling with Tourists
Along
with the many hotel buildings in Jimbaran,
village traditional markets also receive
a good response Not only are they crowded
with local villagers, but foreigners as
well. “Tourists come almost everyday,”
said Mrs. Wayan, a cake seller.
This
traditional market is located 12 km southward
of Denpasar and is popular with various
visitors to Bali. The festivity sometimes
causes traffic jams on Uluwatu Street.
Buyers, merchants or people who just come
gather in crowds especially on Hindu’s
important holy days, such as Kajeng Kliwon,
Purnama, Tilem, etc, which consists of
people from different districts of Bali,
such as Tabanan, Karangasem, Denpasar
and Gianyar
According to Mrs. Wayan, tourists usually
come about 10 AM until noon, “Tourists
who come in the morning mostly follow
the cooking class held by the hotel where
they stay. So, the classes begin by observing
the traditional market first,” she
said while adding, that they do not buy
the market’s products but just watching
the activities of the Balinese people.
The foreigner prefers walking, which is
easy for them to observe all the activities
some like to join in the market’s
festivities.
It’s interesting to observe that
foreigners are attracted to this market’s
atmosphere. They are fond of Balinese
traditional foods, just as much as they
love the culture of Bali. It is said by
the sate tipat seller (grilled chopped-meat)
who’s shop is on the junction border
(southwest of the market). This woman
who comes from Karangasem, and had sold
sate for, about 10 years, said the foreigners
also like to eat sate, at mepajar ceremonies
at Ulun Suwi Temple, her sate quickly
sells out.
The Mepajar ceremony coincides with Kajeng
Kliwon once in every 15 days. So, she
considers that Kajeng Kliwon is kind of
blessing day to her, where everybody buys
her sate, including tourists.
Another but different story is form a
shirt and beach-cloth merchant he confesses
that his products are not quite sold out,
however he is still occupied with his
job.
Jimbaran Market is busy in the early morning,
starting from 2 am. It is small from the
outside but when you take a look inside,
various merchants will appear, such as
rice merchants, spices merchants, butchers,
vegetable sellers, and other sellers that
sell Hindu’s ritual items. All merchants
are already arranged according to their
selling items. Household products, cloth,
ritual items, etc are placed on the street
border. Some merchants also bring their
car to the store their products, usually
start selling from 1 AM to 8 AM. “Starting
10 am the market will be quieter, unless
a ritual ceremony is taking place in the
village,” said the parking man.
(BTN/015)
