Curtis and I love to go to markets whenever we travel.
The first market we ever went to together was in Athens, Greece, on our honeymoon. We had just spent several hours wandering around the Acropolis and surrounding area and happened upon a flea market. It was block after block of…well, stuff. Old shoes, kitchen gadgets, chess sets, tools, pictures, jewelry, pottery, and statues. The one thing we remember about this market, and it’s a vivid memory, is the gyro stand. Gyro stands in Europe are amazing…the meat (chicken, lamb, beef) is pressed into a huge “loaf” and then stuck on a vertical rotisserie stand. The rotisserie spins, allowing the outside of the “loaf” to be cooked evenly. The meat is then carved off the “loaf” and served in a pita with tomatoes, tzatziki sauce, and, in this case, French fries. It was absolutely delicious! It was so delicious that 3 weeks later when we returned to Athens to catch our flight home we went back to the same gyro stand. And the owner remembered us!
Of course, one of the most famous markets, at least in America, is the fish market in Seattle. The Pike Place Fish Market is famous for the way the fishmongers throw the fish that have just been purchased to the person responsible for wrapping them. We also enjoyed a delicious Philly Cheese Steak at Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market. But let me tell you, these markets are nothing like markets in other countries.