For Amy, wife, mother, writing legend. I miss Harps.
I used to see Amy on my daily trips to Harps and we would say "oh yes I shop like a European; I just get my groceries for the day..." Amy and I were delusional. Here is why the Europeans are so much skinnier than Americans are- aquiring food here is exhausting! NOTHING is open on Sundays here, and the markets are closed Mondays. That means Saturday you better have everything you need til lunch on Tuesday. The shops open at dawn and are packed up and gone by 1 for the most part. Where we live there is not much room for cars so you'll have to carry home whatever you buy on your bike or on your persons and in my case then carry it up 4 flights of 600 year old spiraling steps. I no longer find daily shopping as charming as I used to. However, we have had approximately zero food waste and I have read before that 40% of America's food is wasted. I can carry a lot of milk up a bunch of stairs to not contribute to that.
I found a new market that is closer, smaller and less exotic than Victor Hugo. Victor Hugo is a big tourist stop. I don't know the name of the new market but it is on the metro stop Carmez so that's what I call it, although a Google search tells me that isn't it. There was still some stuff that a weakling like me wouldn't try but far fewer faces. Anyone know what those little red berries are? They are mushy and tart and I didn't care for them. They taste nothing like grapes and quite frankly I think they are imposters and decietful for looking so delicious. The cheeses have a sign that tell you what animal and country they come from.
Oh my goodness look at all of those ollies aka olives! Ahhh...now this looks more like a market I could shop without want puke. Normal looking meat finally and it sounds like you work out plenty with all of the walking to and from town and up and down stairs while carrying groceries. ..oh my!
ReplyDeleteI am much happier with this market but I do have the english speaking guy to help at the other. I am on the look out for an english speaker at this market so i dont have to learn the fremch words for things :)
DeleteGroceries up spiral stairs? I might just fast for a week. Consider hurling a log of cheese through the window. Curtis can throw, you can lean over the ledge and catch. Harps misses you too. I think they've fired at least one cashier due to decrease in sales, completely attributed to your family leaving the country. Try to sleep at night.
ReplyDeleteThank you for dedicating this entry to me. I will visit Harps in your honor today.
We should really buy some stock in Harps...
DeleteHow about a pound or two pounds of hamburger?
ReplyDeleteWe had hamburgers for dinner last night (i made them at home) and the kids and i went out for burgers today.
DeleteSo what is the best and worst food you have had so far?
ReplyDeleteWe have only eaten out a couple of times, so i cant say that i have really tried much french cusine. We can be more adventurous when you get here. I do love moddle eastern kebabs (plus the middle eastern guys speak english which is handy)
Delete