Even though I walk past it every week, I had never actually attended the Wednesday Market for some reason. Maybe it's partially because I can be lazy at lunch time, but the fact that I normally have a lunch meeting from 12-1 every Wednesday doesn't help either. This week, my lunch meeting got cancelled (woo hoo!) and even though I was feeling lazy, I knew it was now or never so I grabbed my wallet and set out from my office.
It was quite a nice day out. Oregon has been a little temperamental lately like it normally is when the seasons are thinking about changing and it's trying to resist the change, but that afternoon was sunny and not too hot as I joined the throngs of people walking downtown at lunchtime. One thing you have to remember about Salem is the fact that there are a ton of us state workers in a relatively compact area, so anywhere you go around the noon hour is going to be teeming with us. (Warning - It can be hard to go out to lunch in a timely fashion because of this.) It seemed like many of my fellow pedestrians were either on their way to the Wednesday Market or returning after visiting it. I saw lots of people carrying veggies or big bright bouquets of flowers.
I also came across a dad and his two kids who were about 5 or 6 years old and overheard a conversation that went like this.
Dad: OK, our choices of what to do next are - art museum, hardware store, or playground.
Kids without hesitation: Playground!
Dad: Are you sure?
Kids: Yes! Playground!
I thought it was awfully cute that he gave them choices, and that he seemed to actually expect them to pick anything other than playground.
I arrived at the Wednesday Market and took it all in. It just occupies one block of Chemeketa Street and has far less vendors than the Saturday Market, but I liked the vibe! Not only is it easier to navigate with an adequate amount of choices, but I like how it felt more urban than the Saturday Market does. It probably felt that way because it was on a closed street with traffic nearby and all the businesses right around the corners, and also because most of the people there seemed to be on their lunch breaks or out enjoying a summer midday shopping downtown. It felt more hustle-and-bustley I guess, and I liked it. (I also like that the Saturday Market is more calm and laid back, so I like each of them for what they are :).)
I wandered up and down the street a little to check out my choices. There were a couple flower stands, a good variety of probably about 10 fruit or veggie vendors, a couple artisan/craft people, at least one meat seller, and some food booths.
After a little shopping around, I decided to buy a pint of organic blackberries. Interestingly enough, they were the same price as all the other vendors with non-organic blackberries. Then I circled back to a booth with lots of vegetables and picked up a HUGE zucchini and a cucumber for the bargain price of 50 cents each.
As I walked back down the street for my next purchase, I passed by a lady that I had seen earlier strumming on her guitar with her guitar case open for donations. This time she was standing there on the street singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" to a woman who stood rapt right in front of her. It seemed to be a private concert of sorts and the response of her one person audience made me know it meant a lot to her. Pretty sweet.
Last, I had decided that I should splurge and get some flowers. I really like the way that flowers on my table can make my apartment more cheery. After a little debate I chose this one.
You may have been wondering if this outing "counts" for my blog because I didn't walk here from home. Well, I walked home afterwards :) My apartment is conveniently less than a block from the Wednesday Market, so all I had to do was cross the street, go upstairs, and I was home where I could put my produce in the fridge and snip the ends of my flowers and put them in a vase.
After my pit stop at home, I ran across the street to The Beanery (which I've already blogged about here). I decided that since today was a day of firsts, I should try a new drink that I had never tried before and I ordered an iced americano (I'd never had any sort of americano anywhere ever.) It was more potent than I imagined (and I like strong coffee so that's saying something!), so I added a splash of cream. I enjoyed it and might put it into my coffee rotation sometimes.
As I walked back to work through the Market, I noticed something I hadn't before - that the north side of the street had a food court of sorts set up near the food booths. Tables and chairs pretty much covered the sidewalk. Then I realized that I hadn't even paid any attention to the food vendors because I didn't plan on eating any of their products, but there seemed to probably be about 4 or so choices and lots of people eating so I assume that the food is a viable option if you want to check it out.
Annnnd I'll leave you with this picture of the view I saw on my way back to remind you that fall is quickly approaching. Are the leaves changing earlier this year??
Check out the Wednesday Market if you have a chance! It was a nice break from the daily grind.
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