Theasure in Chowrasta

SHAME ON ME. That's what I had to say to myself. I studied three years in Penang but I never come to this place. What am I kidding. I don't even know this place existed. Located at Jalan Chowrasta, Georgetown, I'm sure you can guess where Pasar Chowrasta got it name from.

This market is actually very popular among local and also tourist. And if you ask me 'How come I said it's very famous when I don't even know it existence'?. Well, it's not their (Pasar Chowrasta) fault. It's just me. Penang famous for their jeruk (preserved fruit) and here you can find a lot of hawker selling jeruk in the ground floor. And the price is a lot cheaper here compared to other places and bargaining is allowed, even encouraged.

But what really got me excited was when I went upstairs I found hidden treasure in ironically, a market. There stood few second-hand bookstores all piled high with books over another. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not a bookworm or something. I mean I barely finish a book for..emmm...okay.. I'm too ashamed to tell you for how long. But this place is so cool. It got tons of books and it's terribly cheap.

Owner (right) helped us to find books we want.

 Even though all books are piled together from one author to another (unlike our Borders or MPH) but finding the one that I'm looking for is not a sweat at all. I just ask the friendly owner and he point me to the right direction. I guess he must have a very very good memory to memorize where all the books been place. I mean just look at the store. It's about four lots own by him. But I guess it's just his job to know which is where.

Price for books here can go down as low as RM1 and they even sell new books at a bargain price. Most of us bought at least two books each. (Told you we're not bookworm).

Got these brand new books There's No Place Like Here by Cecilia Ahern and Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella for RM20 each.

Piece of History:
This market was bulid was built in 1890 by Georgetown Municipality and rebuilt in 1961.

Originate from Urdu word, Chowrasta means "four cross roads". It's a meeting of major roads - Jalan Penang, Jalan Chowrasta, Jalan Kuala Kangsar dan Lebuh Tamil.