市集之所以被稱為市集，從來不只是因為攤位一字排開，更重要的是人潮的聚集，沒有人的市集，就像失去聲音的舞台，再精緻的商品、再用心的佈置，都會乏人問津，無法真正發揮它的價值，捷運站每天進出的人潮，恰好是市集最需要的環境，但是，好像因為法規限制，只有少數的捷運站附近，允許設立市集，這個市集，也是我走出捷運站後才發現的，我就順路逛看看。
可能是因為週末，人比以往多，而市集的攤位也比我想像中多，經過賣杏仁茶的攤位，不知為何，突然想喝一口杏仁茶，在台灣，許多人習慣點上一碗熱杏仁茶，再搭配一份現炸油條，作為一天的開始，油條外酥內軟，咬下一口後，再喝一口杏仁茶，溫潤的茶香中和了油條的酥脆與油脂，簡單卻耐吃，這樣的組合，看似平凡，卻是不少人的早餐組合，聽說這樣的吃法，是從日治時代流傳下來的。
轉了一圈，發現有夜市常見到的夜市遊戲攤位，彈珠台傳來彈珠碰撞的清脆聲響，看著孩子們拉動彈簧，彈珠飛射而出，沿著軌道四處跳躍，撞擊木片與釘子，最後落進不同的洞口，其實，我小時候也是一個彈珠台高手，不過，至少已有十多年沒玩過了，幾個孩童圍著放滿塑膠小鴨的水盆打量，因為只要將水面上的鴨子勾上來，就可以得到小玩具或零食。
可能正因為是週末，人們的步調明顯放慢了下來。少了平日趕著上班、上課的緊繃感，進出捷運站也不再是快進快出，而是多了一點餘裕與從容。也因為如此，許多人像我一樣，開始願意多花些時間，停留在往常沒空駐足的攤位前，也許是一個不起眼的小吃攤，也許是一個販售手作小物的角落，細細地品味生活中的美好，週末的意義，也許正是在於此。
A market is called a market not just because the stalls are lined up, but because of the crowd it draws. A market without people is like a stage without sound—no matter how carefully the products are made or how thoughtfully everything is set up, it just won’t come alive. MRT stations, with people constantly coming and going, are actually the perfect environment for a market. But because of regulations, only a few stations allow markets nearby. This one was something I only noticed after I exited the station, so I decided to take a casual look around.
Maybe because it was the weekend, there were more people than usual, and the number of stalls was more than I expected. When I passed by a stand selling almond tea, I suddenly felt like having a cup for no particular reason. In Taiwan, a lot of people like to start their day with a bowl of hot almond tea and a freshly fried youtiao. You take a bite of the crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside youtiao, then sip the warm almond tea. The smooth, nutty flavor balances out the oiliness perfectly. It’s simple, but comforting, and it’s a pretty common breakfast combo. I’ve heard this way of eating dates back to the Japanese colonial period.
After walking around a bit more, I noticed some classic night market game stalls. The clinking sound of marbles hitting each other came from a pinball table, as kids pulled back the spring and watched the marbles shoot out, bouncing along the track, hitting wooden blocks and nails before dropping into different holes. I was actually pretty good at pinball when I was a kid, but I haven’t played in at least ten years. Nearby, a few children were staring at a basin full of floating plastic ducks, figuring out how to hook one out of the water—since catching one meant winning a small toy or some snacks.
Maybe it’s exactly because it was the weekend that everyone seemed more relaxed. Without the pressure of work or school, people weren’t rushing in and out of the MRT station anymore. There was more time, more patience. Just like me, many people were willing to slow down and linger at stalls they normally wouldn’t stop at—whether it was a humble food stand or a small booth selling handmade items. Taking the time to really enjoy these little moments might be what weekends are truly about.
