For those who come to Cebu not only for its famed beaches but looking forward to have a taste of the life of ordinary people, there is no better place to go than the public markets. The largest and most popular market in Cebu which is noted down as a place "to see" in the travel guide books on Cebu is the "Carbon Market." There is no other place where one can glimpse at the ordinary people's life best than Carbon Market. All that is needed for everyday life can be found there lined up along the sides of a street. Fish and vegetables fresher than the freshest fish and vegetables available at the supermarkets are sold there at much cheaper prices. That is why the place teems with local people day and night. Walking through the street, the observer will, without fail, feel the vibrant energy and dynamism of the local populace in his bones.

　The only problem is, among all places in Cebu, the place is notorious in terms of peace and order. Actually, I have two Filipino friends who have had bad experiences in Carbon. One of them had his bag snatched upon going down the jeepney while the other one, while walking with his back-pack on, was stopped by a man who whispered "Don't move!" at the same ripping his back-pack. Incidentally, the latter's girl friend had nothing of value with her at that time, having only about 53 pesos in her pocket, so that that the thief gave up and simply left. (It seemed like the thief had no interest with the 53 pesos in her pocket.) Nevertheless, it must have been frightening.
　Let me add though that these all happened at night. The place is not that dangerous during the day. I (a member of the "weaker" sex) had gone marketing over there several times. Not once did I meet anything that scared me. Be that as it may, it is good practice to have only the smallest amount of money needed in the pocket that, well, one would not feel that bad being stolen by a thief. Never bring along a child with you. And, best of all, visit the place in T-shirt and jeans, preferably a bit rumpled.

　To those who want to visit the place but, after reading this, has lost the nerve to try and do so, then how about tying Mandaue market? The place may be much smaller than Carbon market but it also brims with vitality to provide a taste of the dynamism of the local populace and, compared with Carbon, a much safer place to go.

　One can buy fresh vegetable there and freshly caught fish too that must have been swimming in the sea just a few moments back that one can prepare sashimi from. Have a care though in judging the freshness of the fish because without the help of a practiced eye or you might end up preparing sashimi that would get your eyes watery and itchy later on. The meat shops is a sight to see that would surprised one with a mountain of boldly cut meat that might appear as "grotesque"( greatly resembling scenes from the occult) to the uninitiated. However one looks at it, one could not help wonder about sanitation but, if one looks at the back of the meat shops, one would notice freshly slaughtered meat lined up and so build up the case that meat here is natural and fresh compared with meat processed in Japan that passes through various stages and treated with various chemicals. Nevertheless, buying the meat would surely demand some daring though.