Rejunevation

I have been meaning to go to Central Market in KL since I started work here, but never had the opportunity to until today. Grandma went out for the day, I was supposed to read some stuff for training at work on Monday but didn't feel like it (given that I'd worked til 10pm last night, a Friday, I think that was understandable), and I intended to try out a cafe there. So I arranged to meet a friend for lunch there (or tried to - she didn't show up) and headed over just before lunch to have a browse around by myself.

In Malay, the market is called Pasar Seni. Literally translated, it mean Arts Market. Don't let the use of the word 'market' fool you, though. Inside the somewhat worn exterior of the building is a clean, air-conditioned environment with (mainly) friendly shopkeepers who make shopping there quite a pleasure.

There was such an array of goods available there, and not just typical cheap-looking, market kind of stuff, but also good quality, beautiful products. It took a lot of self-restraint to hang on to my cash, and in the end I think I was pretty reasonable. It did, however, give me some pretty good gift ideas for the future. The storekeepers were quite ready to bargain. I'm sure I could have saved more had I been more brutal in my 'negotiating', but I have too much heart, I think. Not good in such a situation.

As I was looking for the cafe (at this point, I'd already found out that my friend would not be joining me, but I wanted to know where it was anyway), I came across one of the small art galleries in the refurbished annexe of the Central Market: Gajah-gajah, which is Malay for Elephants. If you look at the byline closely (under the name of the gallery), it boasts that the gallery promotes 'Malaysian Naive Art'!

Some of the works on display/for sale

I doubt that it is a spelling mistake. I presume what they refer to is that they sell art by amateurs, and indeed, promote art amongst this group. They offer art lessons for 'kids, adults, groups' (for a reasonable fee) and when I was there briefly, such a class was being conducted for 2 young children.

It was a hot day outside but inside the building, this little trip was just what I needed to invigorate my soul after a long day at work yesterday and prior to that, a 5-day illness.