I didn't do a lot of research before this spring's grand adventure to find what was to be seen in the places we were going to be. Sweet Bear did, he bought advance timed entry tickets for several places, especially in Vienna. While in Vienna I did a couple of quick searches on my phone, including one for markets. I love exploring markets. And sure enough the major city market was one U-Bahn stop before the hotel. I don't remember what we had explored that day, but Sweet Bear looked exhausted, so I asked may I, get off and walk the market while you go onto the hotel to rest, I will be along in an hour or so for a nap before dinner. He agreed. The Hotel in Vienna was really nice.
The market was a mixture of new pavilions and older open sided stalls. In one of the newer pavilions was this wonderful organic fruit and veggie shop. I went into look around, and asked "may I" pointing to the camera, "yes - thank you for asking" was the fast answer.
The open stalls had a wide variety of fresh local produce and fruits. Again it made me wish I had a kitchen to play in.
I was talking with one of my prefered vendors at the King Street Farmers Market last weekend, about cheese - his cheese man had a disk fusion in his neck and hopes to be back at the market this weekend, he and his cheese were missed. I bought a large block of 8-year aged cheddar. I mentioned the great markets in France, Italy, Germany, Austria. I really like the refrigerated trucks with the side that opens up to a display/ sales counter. He said, "yes, they know how to live." I assured him that the markets he is a part of are our version, and I am so grateful that I live near such a great market (there has been an active market in Alexandria for about 300 years.) Market life is not easy. The farmers/vendors are up early, often driving long distances in all kinds of weather. My grandparents and my father were vendors in the Eastern Market in Detroit for about 30 years.
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