I took a brave step out the other day, not coming out of the closet, I blew the door off the closet years ago. On Saturday morning, I was up early, the weather was heavenly, 66 degrees, blue skies, I masked and gloved up and headed off to the farmers market in Old Town Alexandria. It claims to be one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the country. I love going, I had not been since last fall. It is a little changed from the past, the market vendors handle the produce, you can point at what you want, but not touch. There were city employees at the entrances checking to make sure those entering were wearing masks, and counting the number of people in and out, to limit the number of people. There are arrows on the pavement directing people in one direction. If you miss something and double back, people stare at you (I only did this once, went back 20 feet to the most glorious local tomatoes.)
Most of my favorite vendors were there, the local organic farmer dude, the egg man, a couple of larger scale veggies direct to the public farmers. The market resellers where there, those are vendors that don't grow anything, they buy from farmers, or more likely wholesale markets. I will buy from them, but prefer to buy from the small farmers.
It was strange to be spending cash. I have drawn cash from the bank just once since the end of February. Most of the vendors prefer cash. I bought a new pocket change wallet in Ireland, a wonderful piece of leather work, but kind of bulky.
The crowd was thin, and well behaved. It felt good to be there, I felt reasonably safe. Slowly I am learning to be comfortable in public. As I say, take care, stay safe, stay well.
Are you venturing out yet?
Yes! I've been going back to our local outdoor market since mid-May. It had re-opened in late April, but I didn't learn that for a few weeks. It's nice to be doing some "normal" things again.
ReplyDeleteI love the French small town markets. Some of us live vicariously through you.
DeleteI've only been to grocery and market. With exception to the March but hung way back. Heading north tomorrow to visit blogger friend. Not ready for big crowds or restaurants and the such yet.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note...dont you just love the farmers market? Such a friendly sense of community there and the freshness of things.
I love the idea of supporting small farmers, the quality and freshness.
DeleteWhile we never really stopped going out, we are back cautiously using public transport and visiting the city instead of the inner suburbs by car.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ridden the trains since March (just once in March.)The advice from my office for when we reopen, is don't come in if you ride public transit, until public transit is safer.
DeleteI went back to my physical office last monday. todd and I had our cars inspected at the local garage the past 2 weekends. only other place I have been is the grocery store. had local restaurant food either delivered or curbside pickup.
ReplyDeleteI took the VW in for some work last week, I should get it back today or tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteVery different here. Much more cautious and consistent. But also weeks ahead. So, in 5 days, we move into the new normal. People here are being phenomenally responsible. Of course there are slip-ups but not due to any pig-headedness. Masks are required. We're told to not wear gloves because we're just spreading bacteria from one place to another. So, markets provide gloves to be disposed of the minute we finish in that shop. An American friend told me today she heard that Spain is spiking terribly again. Couldn't be further from the truth.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to not have the deniers
DeleteOur county is still in the don't go anywhere unless it's absolutely essential. BH's job is considered essential, so he goes to work and does all of the shopping and med runs. It's a good thing I'm the introvert. Oh, I did have to go to my retinal...retinol.... uh, eye doctor last week. Ooooh, edema and another eye injection! The thrills just keep on coming. I wonder if I still know how to drive.
ReplyDeleteI have a horse and buggy you can borrow. But make no promise where in hell you'll end up.
DeleteMads, honey, the way things have been going for me lately, I'd probably end up under the horse's tail wearing a poop hat!
DeleteDo take care, we need you
DeleteHow great. I haven't been to a Farmer's Market since this started and I miss it. It's funny how our comfort level vacillates from place to place. I picked up some take-out on Sunday and felt a bit uncomfortable even in my mask because there were so many people eating inside.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine in Phoenix posted pictures in a crowded bar a couple of weeks ago, I freaked out.
DeleteI'm starting to venture out just a little for essential things. I had to go to the dentist a month ago to get a cracked filling fixed. And today I'm going for my first haircut since December.
ReplyDeleteI need a haircut, or a creepy old man ponytail
DeleteI love farmer's markets. It is good to hear that precautions are being taken. Today I went to the grocery store and someone wasn't wearing a mask despite the sign that said all customers had to wear a mask. He looked like the type that would defy such a requirement.
ReplyDeleteThe stores really should give them a ,ask, and if they refuse to wear it, she them to shop elsewhere
DeleteCatching up with my blog reading. Only going out for haircuts, doctor appts, picking up Rx.
ReplyDelete