Saturday Markets

Colorful straw goods.  I want one of those "carriers."

Saturday is the big market day here in Carcassonne.  And on a day this glorious, there is no better way to pass the time than out in the open air, surrounded by color and movement and the energies of the market.

More of the mayor's flower boxes

When I was here in 2013-14, the "Arab" market was at Place Gambetta.  Now that the mayor has completed his envisioned renovation of that square, the "clothing" market has been moved to the linear park along Boulevard Barbes. 

The "clothing" market

This market was always filled with an eclectic mix of offerings, and in its new location, it is even larger, noisier, and more colorful.  Some of the things displayed are, quite frankly, junk.  But, the local "department store" wanted 18 Euros for a soup ladle; here I can get one for 1 Euro.  At one table today I could have bought socks, nail polish, jumper cables and a coffee pot.  There were a few purses that called out to me, but I managed to resist their siren song.  It's really fun to walk through.





 I actually did buy a tablecloth for 8 Euros.  I think I got a pretty good deal as I did see one in a shop window on Rue Verdun for 154 Euros! 

      

                                                                      

What I love about the market as much as the colors and smells are the voices of friends, men and women, trading gossip, family news and who knows?--mybe even good-natured  insults.  Make no mistake, the Saturday market is definitely a social event.  

 

Fountain at the Porte des Jacobins

 After wandering along Boulevard Barbes, I made my way through the Porte des Jacobins to Place Carnot, where the food is sold. People develop relationships with their favorite vendors. 

This scene plays out hundreds of times

I recognized many faces from my time here two years ago.  I was looking for some more of those little ugly apples;but there was not a single one to be found.  There's a lesson in buying what's in season, right?

I buy olives from this vendor

I did not need anything else, as my larder is stocked, and for once I was able to walk away from the mounds of jewel-colored produce.  I did buy three little tomatoes for my salad tonight, Sunday dinner and Monday lunch.  A much reduced market occurs on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.   So, I spent 40 cents at the food market today. 

Some goat cheese, anyone?

Then it happened:  I ran into someone I knew at the market.  Just like everyone else, I was getting my sustenance--both nutritional ans social.  A great sense of belonging washed over me.  I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this point in my life.

Carousel at Gambetta

Saturday morning

After visiting with Jack and Linda, I made my way nearly home to Place Gambetta, where I stopped for a cafe and a croissant and some conversation with three British women tourists who are winding up their holiday today.  The new kiosk there is a pleasant place to have a coffee, people watch and do some writing; I indulged in all three.  Is there a better way to celebrate Saturday morning?