Whenever we have been in town for a market day in Italy we’ve loved it. A line of vans, all with their own awnings stretched out, parked so close to one another you’re always walking in the shade. Excitement builds as you encounter each vendor, maybe one that sells produce, another only dried fruits, a cheese vendor, one that makes sandwiches or grilled goodies. There are the houseware vendors with more beautiful plates and tablecloths than you can bring home in your suitcase. There are kitchen gadgets that you never even knew you needed. Then you’ll come across the vendors selling clothes, selling really nice men’s shirts and ties, a few selling purses, maybe shoes or jewelry, and hair accessories. Everything is usually good quality, not top quality, but good.
This is what I was looking forward to when we decided to go the weekly Market Day at Parco Casine, a park that’s about a 1.5 mile walk from our apartment. Vic and I got up and were out the door earlier than usual for our market day adventure. We brought along two shopping bags so we’ll have plenty of room for all the goodies we will find. Thankfully the morning was not too warm as we strolled to our intended destination, but by the time we got to the market the sun started to heat things up.
Yes, there was a very long line of vans, vendors on each side for about ¾ of a mile down a road between the park and the Arno River, all with their own awnings stretched out, but they were parked in such a way that were we almost always in the sun unless we were directly under their awning. Yes, there was produce and cheese vendors, but they were more expensive than at the Central Mercado we usually go to that is only about 5 blocks away from our apartment. Yes, there were vans with a tasty pork sandwich but not much else. The housewares and clothes were of cheap quality and the purses were all from China (in Florence, the city of leather). By my observation, apparently, Florentines either like a lot of underwear or they go through them quickly since there were several vendors selling nothing but undergarments.
After we strolled through the length of the market, we doubled back and bought a pork sandwich which we ate on a park bench. Then, I sampled and bought some wildflower honey that I will put on my fresh ricotta for dessert.
Although we were a little let down with the market we had a great day. After our lackluster shopping experience we took a walk in the park and sat for quite awhile on a bench. Under the cool shade of the trees we talked about our trip so far, about the differences in cultures and about the books we were reading and more. We watched the joggers and their dogs, the brazen pigeons, the women riding bikes in heels and the trucks as they made their way out of the park at the end of the market. Then we took the long way back to the apartment following the Arno River, stopping for gelato, of course.
Yes, there was a very long line of vans, vendors on each side for about ¾ of a mile down a road between the park and the Arno River, all with their own awnings stretched out, but they were parked in such a way that were we almost always in the sun unless we were directly under their awning. Yes, there was produce and cheese vendors, but they were more expensive than at the Central Mercado we usually go to that is only about 5 blocks away from our apartment. Yes, there were vans with a tasty pork sandwich but not much else. The housewares and clothes were of cheap quality and the purses were all from China (in Florence, the city of leather). By my observation, apparently, Florentines either like a lot of underwear or they go through them quickly since there were several vendors selling nothing but undergarments.
After we strolled through the length of the market, we doubled back and bought a pork sandwich which we ate on a park bench. Then, I sampled and bought some wildflower honey that I will put on my fresh ricotta for dessert.
Although we were a little let down with the market we had a great day. After our lackluster shopping experience we took a walk in the park and sat for quite awhile on a bench. Under the cool shade of the trees we talked about our trip so far, about the differences in cultures and about the books we were reading and more. We watched the joggers and their dogs, the brazen pigeons, the women riding bikes in heels and the trucks as they made their way out of the park at the end of the market. Then we took the long way back to the apartment following the Arno River, stopping for gelato, of course.