Ferney–Voltaire Saturday Market

We’re (or rather I’m) back!  Things have been hectic and while we’ve had a lot to post about, including the rest of our Guatemala trip, we just haven’t had the energy.  I’m outside of Geneva where my NGO has an office and I finally have time to catch up on the news, books I want to read, emails I need to return and both reading and writing posts.

On Saturday I had plans to head into Geneva to wander around but then decided to stick around the small town of Ferney and visit the Saturday market.  I’ve been to this market before, probably a little more than 2 years ago.  It was a cold and rainy November day and while I liked the market, I didn’t stick around too long to explore.  Saturday was warm and beautiful and the perfect day for exploring.  I headed to the market (5 minute walk from the hotel) with two of my favorite co-workers, D and A.  For the record, I love A.  He’s one of my favorite people period.  Every conversation with him makes me smarter.  He always seems really excited to see me and I always enjoy my time in Addis with him, the staff and his family.

Anyway, the market.  This was a great market.  It’s exactly what you expect of a French market.  Stalls selling olives, meats, cured meats, vegetables, wines, cheese, more cheese, bread, flowers, seafood and did I say cheese?

I didn’t take too many pictures because it was crowded and some of the folks were not interested in having pictures of themselves or their goods taken, but I did manage a few.

Never has greens looked so good.  I WISH I had a room with a mini kitchen.  Actually, I wish I had packed as I normally do and not forgotten my travel eating set that includes a mini knife, utensils and plastic plate. 

I’m in love with french breakfast radishes.  Also, I have never seen so many varieties of artichokes.  I saw about 5 different kinds.

I had heard about black radishes but never tried one.  I’m kind of interested now.  D and A were not interested.

Why couldn’t my room have a microwave?  I totally would have bought a few of these if they did.

I’m also amazed by the flowers.  Just beautiful.  If I was staying a little longer, I would have bought some flowers to brighten my dreary room.

I didn’t leave the market just because I don’t have a kitchen.  I purchased the best strawberries EVER(!), some really sweet oranges, a few pears, some delicious garlicy olives, a loaf of whole grain bread and 2 mini wheels of goat cheese (easy to eat without a knife).  I also bought a locally produced bottle of Rose that was really lovely.  I don’t really like sweet wines and therefore avoid Roses but recently discovered some that are dry and delicious like the one above.  In all, my market loot only set me back $20 (including the wine).  This was enough for lunch and dinner on Saturday, lunch on Sunday and a snack today.  I’m saving the wine so I can enjoy it Micah.

My new favorite snack might be bread with a little goat cheese (chevre above) topped with a strawberry.  Seriously, I’ve never had a more delicious strawberry.  Even the few that were tart were juicy and velvety.  I’ve had strawberries from u-pick farms and farmers markets before but nothing like this. 

Anyone else spend time at the farmer’s market this weekend?