produce galore

This morning, I got out of bed at an hour that is never witnessed by most college students on Saturdays. As I got ready, the wind whipped outside my window, the rain made lovely plinking sounds, and the entire dormitory village was hushed and still. I love mornings, I love being awake before everyone else. Mornings are my time to savor.

I ventured out into the blissfully gray morning for this: Cleveland’s West Side Market. I had been once a few weeks ago, and I had to return just to make sure it was as exciting as I had thought the first time. Last time, I went with friends; today, it was just me and my camera.

It was a very rainy day for the market. And, since today is Saturday, it was packed full of people. But somehow, I didn’t mind. Unlike the panicked feeling that a crowded grocery store provides, this crowd was exuding a healthy sense of pace. Not in a hurry, necessarily, just following a loose agenda. It was a comforting bustling.

I walked my way through the produce and into the main building, the bigger portion of the market that I had not yet explored. Cases upon cases of meat, beans, cheese, coffee, and bakery goods greeted me, along with another throng of people. I snapped away with my camera, pausing whenever there was a gap in the crowd and taking in as much as I possibly could through both my eyes and my viewfinder.

When I was visually satisfied, I started back over at the beginning and began collecting bags and bags of fruits and vegetables.

I bought some super ripe, locally grown peaches. I love peaches, but until this summer I had never realized how much better they can be when they don’t have to travel. These were so juicy and delicious… and of course, affordable.

I love this place.

And what trip to the market is complete without mouthwatering pictures of pastries?

The ones on the left there are filled with poppy seeds. I found it intriguing, but it seems like poppy seed overkill to me.

And three of those cheese & fruit danishes in the top left had to come home with me. Two blueberry, for me and Brad, and a raspberry for Hannah.

I continued to take pictures through my rain-spattered windshield at the last few traffic lights.

I couldn’t help it, I just love the rain.

I also love fresh fruits and vegetables. My load for this week cost less than twenty dollars, and I’m set for awhile… red and orange peppers, avocados, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, a tomato, cilantro, sweet onions, grapefruits, peaches, a mango, and a plum. It was an excellent adventure, and a beautiful start to my day.