Saturday Markets Scores

My cousin and I took advantage of the Saturday markets to score some deals.  This was Myrie's first introduction to the markets of France and here in Carcassonne. As my British friends would say, they were "heaving."  The presence of the ice rink has cut into the space for the fruit and vegetable sellers, so the city has opened up some space one block up and one block over, in the parking lot of  Les Halles,  behind the library. 

Score!!! Pot lid!!!

Brought from the Saturday market

We breezed (well, maybe breezed is a but optimistic) through the crowds at Carnot, stopping only to buy hazelnuts. and then it was on to Mexicot's for a chicken and some of their potatoes.  They roast them in the bottom of the rotisserie, where they are flavored with the drippings from the chicken.  I asked for enough for two people to go with the small roast chicken that I bought.  After all, it is the quintessential French lunch.  

Roast chicken, potatoes, salad and yes, I added wine.  It is France, after all.

From there it was on to the Arab market, which sort of stunned Myrie.  There's is certainly nothing like it in Lovettsville, Virginia.  I scored a new pot lid to replace the one that has gone missing.  Only 3 Euros!!! At this particular market, it's possible to get clothed, fed and have your house furnished, even with a mattress and box springs.  It can be a little overwhelming and even intimidating for the overly polite Westerner who's been trained to wait her turn.

At the Arab market

Portable flour mill--and freshly ground flour

There was a Honey Festival at Le Dome, along with stands sponsored by the Young Farmers.  I snagged some gifts of regional products and had a great conversation with a gorgeous horse!  Myrie was taken with the donkeys and the "crosses" on their backs--a reference to the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem, perhaps?  

Gorgeous, gentle creature

We stopped at the antiques store as we made our way home.  I noticed that the 6 chairs I had been eyeing were now reduced in price--6 chairs for 30 Euros (in total, not per chair).  When I went in and asked the owner if I could leave them there and come for them next week, as I would have my cousin here to help me carry them, he offered to deliver them, that day, for free.  I plunked down my Euros faster than he could get the offer out of his mouth.

Two of six

True to his word, he delivered them on his way to lunch.  I now have seating for at least 8 people.  The chairs need a good cleaning, maybe a little sanding and polishing, but have some character to them and maybe even a story to tell.  They fit into the living room with plenty of room to spare and the proprietor of the antiques shop has promised to keep his eye out for a table.  Soon I will no longer have an excuse to not have people in for dinner. Well, there is the matter of having only two plates!

All in all, a great Saturday market! 

Myrie's first French (real) croissant