If you are like me, any visit to a semi-exotic place includes an obligatory visit to the local market. From live squirmy things that we don't even keep as pets, to beautifully rich and colorful vegetation, to local tchotchkes taunting tourists to purchase, markets are often where we go for a bite-size glimpse into a foreign culture and land.But as I headed out today to run my own local errands, it occurred to me just how exotic the unexotic may seem. For many, farmer's markets are summertime novelties, and visiting them is considered an "outing" rather than an errand. In Northern California, however, marketing is a way of life for both the farmers and consumers.
Northern California's climate is not just desirable for its residents, but its resident vegetation as well. And the variety of local produce and numerous farmer's markets attest to this. Offering both fresher products, a more eco-friendly infrastructure (it is "local" after all), and more reasonable prices than the grocery store, it's not a surprise how many Bay Area residents rely on them and their products. With our own WindMill Farms closed only from mid-December to mid-February, fresh, local, and organic products of top-notch quality are available practically year-round.
And even though our local market doesn't sell tchotchkes, I'm sure any foreign visitor would find a bit of the exotic right here in California.
What is it that you are calling 'tchotchkes'?
ReplyDeleteoops . . . I meant who are you calling a tchotchke?
ReplyDeleteHa! Well it's the knick knacks for sale that are taunting tourists...but I guess the stall owners could, too!
ReplyDeleteYou can see where my mind is. I thought it was something to eat. Jewish perhaps.
ReplyDeleteG'ma.
I thought tchotchkes were things given out by vendors at conferences and such. Things like t-shirts, pens, key chains and similar items, all with the vendor's name and logo. Some of these items have even achieved collectible status like the Enron ethics manual.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, Windmill farms has matured over the years from a very temporary looking outdoor vegetable stand to it's current very temporary looking outdoor stand with a cover. And still a must stop for the hordes of weekend bicyclists traversing San Ramon Blvd.
According to the information bible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchotchke
ReplyDeleteGrandma you had some good instincts. The origin of the word is Yiddish!
And Jim, you were right...tchotchkes are a must at conferences=) So, I guess you're a Windmill Farms shopper, too! It's funny you mention bicyclists. When the weather gets warmer, I have every intention of throwing on my backpack and bike-riding to buy my veggies=)
Loved reading this post as well as all of the comments. Look forward to hearing more of Jojo Potato's humor as well.
ReplyDelete