If you're from a major metropolis, then the little town of Claremont (unofficial motto: City of Trees and PhDs) probably seems on the quiet side. There aren't many chain stores, getting a downtown movie theater several years ago counted as major excitement, and there are certainly as many senior citizens as students, including a large population of retired Church of Christ ministers.
So it should come as no surprise that the great social event of the week is the Sunday morning farmer's market. Every week, rain or shine, the entire town of Claremont shows up for bright strawberries, organic greens, and fresh baked bread. I love it. It's become so much a part of my tradition that I was genuinely astonished when my mother reminded me that in colder parts of the country -- like, say, New Jersey -- farmers markets don't open until June, and could I please stop mentioning the warm weather and the local produce.
One of the essential parts of the farmer's market tradition? Breakfast in Claremont. My allegiances have changed over the years -- Full of Life Bakery, 42nd Street Bagel -- and now Le Pain Quotidien, where I feasted this week on organic granola and cafe au lait -- with admission files, of course, because no Sunday morning is complete without those.
If I needed a reminder for why I like living near Claremont, beyond the sweet Craftsman bungalows and senior citizens picketing for peace, then each Sunday excursion fills that role beautifully. Gorgeous mountain view, great weather, a bustling small town with restaurant options to spare -- yep, I can handle the suburbs. And the fresh blueberries? Those are pretty awesome too.
This reminded me of my childhood walks through the Indian bazaar full of rush. The only difference - the cows and goats furiously wait for the abandoned rotten vegetables.
ReplyDeleteA nice post. It's interesting to here about what happens at different places all around the world.
Love the photo of the goat! Wonder how its horns got so lopsided? Farmer's markets in California are probably pretty staid in comparison with a bustling bazaar with livestock on the loose!
ReplyDeleteYup, the American markets are far too different.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, two points to note:
1. About the horn - such defects are common in India.
2. Those in the markets are starving creatures, that's why look thin. So, it's not goat but cow, actually ox!
Ox, huh? Wow, I really need to work on my livestock identification. Thanks for the correction!
ReplyDeleteactually, I am also confused. May it's a cow, not ox. I also need to work on identification. :D
ReplyDelete