I’ve often said if I were to move back to Philadelphia, it would be a choice between two areas–Center City or near a Wegman’s. For friends in LA, Wegman’s comparable to Gelson’s, only much cheaper and, like, a thousand times better. However, my first forays into the Berlin supermarkets would have me settle for a Pathmark. Or for friends in LA, Food4Less. Continue reading “Berlin Supermarkets or My Kingdom for a Wegman’s”
One of the first questions I always get was, “How was the food?” Pretty much, great. Living in apartments allowed me to shop and make most meals. But what is travel without sampling the food. Here are some of those samplings: Continue reading “The Food Post”
Geography quick quiz. Where is Bratislava? Continue reading “Slovakia Goes On The List”
When you take the free walking tour and the souvenir map includes in it’s key Polish phrases to know, “I don’t like Warsaw,” you can tell there is somewhat of a rivalry between the two cities. There needn’t be because the two cities are so vastly different. Warsaw is the financial center while Krakow, with much of its history surviving the war, is the more artful, more lively, and yes more touristy. But in a good way. As you visit key parts of the town and, of course, venture out to Auschwitz, history stares you in the face wherever you go. Continue reading “Krakow – Historic and Lively”
Some of the tastes of Paris… Continue reading “Paris for the Foodies”
Not Provence, although I’d love to spend a day there. Actually, a lot more than a day. But Provins is a medieval town about an hour from Paris, complete with still-standing city walls and forts. Continue reading “A Day in Provins”
This actually happened a couple of weeks ago, so consider it a delayed post. I’ve subscribed to Adrian Leeds‘ newsletter for years. Adrian is an expat who is, among many other ventures, is a French property consultant. If, like me, you’re addicted to House Hunters International, you’ve seen her on most of the Paris episodes. Continue reading “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner”
I’ve always enjoyed walking through local markets in Europe to look at all the fresh vegetables, cheeses, fish, meats. Somehow, the larger ones seem to be a study in chaos. With my basic French and inability to comprehend most Parisians (they talk fast!), I found it intimidating to be a participant. Do I pick the vegetables? What if I ask the wrong amount and end up spending a fortune? What are those things? So until now, I’ve only observed the chaos from a distance. Sunday, I decided to give it a try.
The Marché Richard Lenoir is the biggest market in Paris. So if I’m going to dig in, might as well be the biggest. The market is pretty crowded and some people don’t feel their carts are in anyone’s way in the tight walkways between the rows of stalls. But everything looks amazing, the produce, fresh fish, even wine.
I see ripe avocados and the sign says 3 for a euro. Perfect. Except the guy kept saying “quatre” (four). I replied back with “trios” (three). He was trying to tell me that they were now four for a euro, finally telling me in English. He picked them out and so far, only a euro spent. Nothing outrageous. I stopped at the next produce stall and bought some more vegetables.
Feeling a little more brave, I went to a cheese merchant. I had no ideas what all the cheeses were so I chickened out a little and bought one of the pre-cut packages with the price already marked (no mistakes that way!).
Lastly, I was determined to purchase some salmon. A found a fishmonger with some precut filets and bought one of them. Perfect in color and so fresh. I better stop here, I thought, as my first time had been a success. I had broken my European farmer’s market cherry. Little did I know at the time that this would be the last fish purchase. My apartment is about 150 square feet and let’s just say that cooking fish in that small a space in an oven with no ventilation does not leave a pleasant lingering odor. However, the fish was great!
I’ll miss these meals:
Ah, Spanish Tapas!
The Nomadic Writer 