Le Marche Dimanche

Every Sunday, I've been going to an outdoors organic market that is only a few blocks away from my dorm. Why? Almost nothing is open on Sundays in Paris... whether it's department stores, bakeries, pharmacies, restaurants, etc. I find it really funny that the places that are open are the Jewish ones (they rest on Saturdays instead) or the Asian ones (too cheap to close shop). However, I found out that stores that remain open on Sundays usually have to pay a fine...strange.

Anyhow, I thought the novelty of an outdoor Parisian market would wear off because the stands are the same every week, but it hasn't... at all. Every week, I am absolutely enraptured by the color of the fruits, vegetables, and food at the market. Maybe because my dormitory serves ratty, holey, bruised fruits for breakfast, or because it's impossible to spot vegetables in the normal Parisian meal. The market also gives off this energetic, fresh, healthy vibe because the sellers are really passionate about their homemade or home-grown products. Usually, I've felt that many Parisians don't really like the job they're doing, perhaps because a quarter of them are civil servants (hahaha). At least at this market, the producers are very friendly, well-knowledgeable about their products, and seem to be more passionate about their work even though it's neither high-paying nor easy. Very refreshing! Also, if I could communicate smell through the Internet, I totally would, because the market experience is not complete without all the delicious smells wafting around.