The Kunming Dounan Flower Market, a bustling hub of color and fragrance, is where I spend my days. Here’s a glimpse into my life as a worker at Asia’s largest flower market, from my own perspective:
3:00 AM: My day begins while the city sleeps. The market is already alive with the night’s wholesale activities. I arrive to the scent of fresh blooms and the sound of auctioneers’ chants.
3:30 AM: I join the throng of workers unloading crates of flowers from trucks. The cool morning air is filled with the mingling aromas of roses, lilies, and chrysanthemums.
4:00 AM: The auction starts. I’m in the thick of it, helping buyers inspect the flowers, their vibrant petals a stark contrast against the dark sky.
5:00 AM: As the auction winds down, I assist in wrapping up orders. The flowers will travel far and wide, some staying local, others destined for distant lands.
6:00 AM: A brief respite. I grab a quick breakfast at a nearby stall, savoring a steaming bowl of noodles as the sky begins to lighten.
7:00 AM: The retail market comes to life. I switch gears, setting up our stall with an array of colorful bouquets, ready for the day’s customers.
9:00 AM: The sun is up, and so is business. I chat with regulars, offering care tips for their purchases, and guide tourists, enchanted by the sea of flowers.
12:00 PM: Lunchtime. I join my fellow workers for a meal, sharing laughs and stories amidst the backdrop of endless petals.
1:00 PM: The afternoon is for restocking and arranging. I create custom bouquets, each a unique expression of nature’s beauty.
4:00 PM: As the day’s heat peaks, I water the plants, ensuring they stay fresh for customers who’ll come seeking the perfect bloom.
6:00 PM: The market begins to quiet down. I take inventory, noting what sold well and what we’ll need for tomorrow.
8:00 PM: I close up the stall, saying goodbye to the last of the customers. The market’s energy fades as workers head home.
9:00 PM: My day ends as I return home, the fragrance of flowers lingering on my clothes, a reminder of the beauty I’m surrounded by every day.
In Kunming Dounan Flower Market, every day is a testament to the enduring allure of flowers and the joy they bring to people’s lives.
