Visiting a farmer’s market in Estremoz Portugal
Over our years living abroad including residences in Malta, Sicily, and Portugal, we learned a great deal about the vitality of communities, what is central to quality of living, and where to find the heart beat of a town. As we have said many times food is a huge center piece. In every town that we lived or traveled to, we could always find a farmer’s market. In Gozo Malta, not only was there the market in Victoria’s square but the vegetable truck which would stop on our street outside our house every day, making its way throughout the streets of the village. Not to mention the bread truck! There was no better experience than the colorful produces, wonderful scents, and sounds of mongers, than at the bustling markets in Siracusa or Catania Sicily, or finding treasures in the gypsy market of Noto and coming home with a basket full of delicious bounty. In our beloved town of Évora Portugal not only is there the Saturday market, but there is a whole beautifully restored building dedicated to a daily farmers market set next to the lovely town park and the Chapel of Bones near the town center. These markets are essential to the heart of these communities. This is where people meet, greet, share, exchange ideas, find inspiration, and shop. A center for nurturing heart and body.
Visiting the lovely farmer’s market in Estremoz Portugal,
with “our man in Portugal” Manuel Dias.
Here Manuel is explaining to Christopher about how porco preto (black pig) is fed the acorns from the cork oak trees to get the most exquisite flavor!
Oh the wonderful cheeses!
Hmmm…what do you think we should get?
Which birdie?
Beautiful display at the market!
Selling live chickens, turkeys, and geese at the market
Another view of the market!
One of the lovely tiled buildings in the square.
Boy standing outside cafe.
Detail from the tiled building. Tile facades are one of the unique architectural features in Portugal.
They also have antiques for sale.
Home with the bounty!
Our very own Charlottesville City Market
As some of you may already know there has been a great deal of discussion and struggle over the past few years over the fate of the Charlottesville City Market. Listed in the top 50 best farmer’s markets in the country, it is representative of what defines Charlottesville as a “high quality of life” place to live.
Charlottesville City Market 1st Street
Last year Rare Lynx had the great pleasure and privilege to participate as reserved vendors. Despite the sometimes cold mornings, rainy weather, or blazing sun it was an enormously gratifying experience. The sense of community among the vendors, as well as the people who make their weekly pilgrimage there, is very palpable. We also noticed that many tourists made a special effort to visit the City Market, and we still have people from afar seeking us out after having bought something from our table. Maintaining a central,easily accessible, home for Charlottesville City Market is vital to fostering a thriving, generative, and creative community.
Manuel’s visit to Charlottesville helping us out at the Rare Lynx table!
Please go to Market Central to read the petition letter which explains what design options are up for vote before the city council on Monday June 16th. Please sign the petition to support one of the 2 designs which include a permanent home for the Charlottesville City Market. They have our vote!
We’ll be seeing you at the market!
