Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Big Freeze


All but deserted - Cours Taulignan

Vaison la Romaine's Tuesday market is one of the biggest and best known Provençal markets but this morning I hardly trusted my eyes. In Cours Taulignan, usually the busiest street of the market there was hardly a stallholder to be found. My trusted egg lady was one of the very very few who braved the cold, as was a butcher and an olive vendor but that was about it. And then I saw this interesting scene:

What is going on here?

What looked like a clandestine black market operation was but common sense of one of the fruit and vegetable sellers. Since all their produce would have been spoiled at this mornings icy -9°C/15.8°F they didn't even bother to unload but sold everything off the truck.

10 comments:

  1. Hi Barbara! How nice to read your post! The weather here in Istanbul today looks the same as what you're having. Thought of you at the weekend as we had a drink at the decadent Pera Palas bar! Remember? Warm regards to you and Robert.

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  2. This weather really is chilly!!! We are living in a while wonderland and are completely snow bound Brrrrrr Diane

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  3. Hard to believe that those pictures are from the Tuesday morning market; usually jammed with venders and people out doing their errands. Try to stay warm. Give my best to Robert.

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  4. @ Claudia: Do I ever remember the bar at the Pera Palas - what a beautiful place.
    @ Diane: Love the photos on your blog of your winter wonderland.
    @ Michel: I bet you have never seen our market like this and I hope it will be warmer when you and Shirley are coming here next time.

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  5. I love this post. These people do have common sense though! It is really cold everywhere in Europe now. I love markets and I never miss the one in my home town when I go back to Italy. It is a great social event and you meet all the people you know in village; you buy fresh fruit and vegetables, have a nice chat and a nice cup of coffee. What could be better??!

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  6. Oh my, all of France seems to be suffering. I hope it will be soon over and that your trees and perennials have survived. Take care and be safe. Susan

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  7. @ Alida: Yes, market visits are great fun, but not when it is as cold as it is now...
    @ Susan: Our olive trees still look okay, but that premature daffodil is frozen solid now.

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  8. I know its been brutal in Europe this Winter...It is brave to "brave" this cold. Soon Spring will arrive.

    Thanks for sharing. Stay warm.

    Velva

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  9. Thank you Velva, and welcome to Cuisine de Provence. Can't wait for spring to start - this cold has been going on for far too long!

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  10. Thank you so much for the Award - for which I take a slight bow and ever so pleased you enjoy culinary travels and stories en France. As to this particular picture....I would be driving by ever so slowly wondering just what might be their precious cargo. Oh it's food, OK then!!

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