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Position: 41°12’54″N 13°33’54″E
Each Wednesday Gaeta hosts a traditional open-air market, a hangover from the days when staple goods weren’t available locally. Like farmer’s markets in America there is plenty of fresh, seasonal fruit and veggies on hand. Unlike America, an extensive array of household goods and clothing is available at reasonable prices. All over Europe, markets like this remain commonplace.
memory Lane
Around my sixth birthday my family spent a year in England. We lived in Olney, a market town not far from Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire. Newport Pagnell is famous as the home of Aston Martin cars. Olney is famous for its annual pancake race. On Shrove Tuesday, the ladies of the town race, while flipping a pancake with their skillet, from the marketplace to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. A distance of about 400 yards. Now, it’s an international event.
On Tuesdays, in addition to the usual food and housewares market, cattle and sheep were driven to Olney and sold for slaughter. I’d hold my mum’s hand as we walked through the stalls buying veg and household items, but never a live animal. Our path home took us past the sheep pens and makeshift auction barn. My recollection is of huge, muddy cows sloshing through town under heavy, grey rainclouds. Broadly built farmers in flat caps and white coats marshalled the mooing herd with shouts and slaps. There was order in the chaos that was lost on poor terrified me. I’m still uncomfortable around things taller than I am. Fortunately, those things are few. The only animals in Gaeta’s market these days are budgies and parrots.
Market Advantages
How do weekly markets survive in these days of discount stores and internet shopping? Price, mostly. Without the overhead of storefronts and by buying directly from farmers, costs are competitive and produce fresh. Who knows how long these traditions will continue? But open markets remain a communal gathering place, bringing relief from the humdrum of the week. There’s usually something new to consider, and always old friends to catch up with.
That was so lovely to see Carol and Marlon in the marketplace amidst the beautiful music and Mike’s narrative. Thanks and sending love, Terry💌
Thank Terry! Sending hugs your way!
Good to be there with you in the sun, people and place. Thanks for letting us visit with you.