To market...to market! To buy bras and underwear?
Trip Start
Sep 17, 2010
1
19
22
Trip End
Sep 29, 2010
Cavaillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Monday, September 27, 2010
We took off for Cavaillon, another village in Provence with its bustling market day. These market days are not just for tourists. Cavaillon's market was a good example of that. The village was a little larger than the perched village on top of hillsides. There was more hustle and bustle in Cavaillon. We found parking easily and could see all of the tents of the market set up a few streets over. Cavaillon looked to be very delightful and my camera was tucked and ready!
Right away there was a different feel about this market. This was more of a market for the locals. There were a few touristy areas but serious shopping was to be done here. Clothes, socks, belts, shoes, you name it (yep, lots of bras and underwear!!), was for sale here.
The population of the village was more diverse for sure. We saw many African people speaking a throaty fluid accented french. We saw more Middle Eastern people wearing their head scarves. There were also more restaurants surrounding the market that sold ethnic dishes. This was a fantastic market and we seemed to be among few tourists walking around.
By now we fully understood the "every store closes down between 1 and 4:00" routine. The kids saw a yummy looking sandwich shop with sandwiches made to order. I was captivated by the linens and tablecloths so they went off to procure lunch for us. None of us were hungry in the least but we knew...get it now or be hungry in a few hours from now!
I found some really nice gifts for family members and some wonderful table cloths. A couple of years ago I bought some black ankle boots at a market vendor similar to this one, but in Italy. I am still wearing those comfy boots and didn't pay much for them at all. Many of these vendors reminded me of those in Italy and also had similar merchandise. I saw one vendor who had a table full of boots. I've been wanting knee high leather boots for a long time but was never willing to pay the price for them. I tried on a couple of pairs and really liked one particular style. The market was beginning to close down in record speed and I had to make a decision. 20 Euros!!!! Excellent!! I walked away with my new CHEAP knee length boots!
We didn't really want to leave Cavaillon so soon but the market was being disassembled quickly and many of the permanent shops around the market were closed. We never could figure that out. Perhaps on market days, the regular shops close up. Too bad because we saw some really cute shops. Again, tourism in Provence is only tolerated so much. Interfering with "the good life" is paramount to earning the highest tourism wage possible. Much different mentality than Americans for sure!!
Back in the car, yummy crusty baguette sandwiches in hand (and of course pastries!) and off to Arles for the afternoon. We really wanted to show the kids the Roman colosseum and the ruins of the amphitheatre.
