The most amazing thing I've done since I've been here, I woke up early on a Sunday. Yup, you heard it here, I, Madison O'Leary, woke up early. On a weekend. Of my own free will. Don't worry I'm not completely changed, I've tried this the last four possible days (Saturdays and Sundays) and failed and slept until 11:40...oddly exactly 11:40 each time. But this is not the point. I woke up early on this lovely Sunday morning in Paris, France to go to a flea market or un marché aux puces. It was fantastic. There was a little stand with earrings made of found antique little bits for only a euro each. I walked around for two hours watching the old french men with their grand white mustaches and their little caps examining fish and tiny old women with their heads wrapped in scarves pointing out exactly which fetal pig they wanted for dinner. Since this is an older market, most of the people working there had been there for a while so they were not the annoying, creepy guys from the other more modern markets I've seen. They were sweet and nice and seem to genuinely love what they are doing. I could have spent the entire day there. There was even a man playing traditional french music on an accordion to make the experience complete. I would tell you more, but second surprising event, not only did I wake up early, I remembered my camera and I took pictures.
The beginning of the food section of the market. It got busier as the food got better.
The jewelery stand where I got some of the antique one euro earrings :)
He stole an old lady's wallet. Paris takes it's crime very seriously.
So many Parisians just go here for their Sunday dinner. They take a paper bag, through a roast chicken in, and then fill it with those potatoes.
The very friendly fish man.
It's clearly a very complicated picture that needs a very long explanation...
This woman ran to use the bathroom and left her daughter in charge. She drove a hard bargain.
More veggies.
One of the many tiny little old ladies.
Lots and lots 'o' oranges.
That big ugly overpass goes all the way around Paris so you know exactly when you are going to leave the city. It gets pretty ugly on the other side so I stayed with my market.
I just had to stop and get a pastry on my way home. Friggin' fantastic.
Lots and lots 'o' oranges. 
Way to go, remembring the camera, Maddy! After getting up so early, too! Fantastic pictures- I love your shadow on the oranges. And your description of the people at the market was great- I could almost see them. I'm so jealous I can't even put it into words. Thanks for sharing, and keep it up!!! xoxoxoxox Laura
RépondreSupprimerp.s. too bad about the chicken....
Assuming you are still my sister, which I am not sure of because my sister doesn't know that the am hours exist on the wake up end of the day as well as the go to sleep one, you have to take me here when I come visit! So cool!!
RépondreSupprimerMMMMMM. That's all I can say. All that yummy food. And note, the big yellow cup, just like the one I've used in my paintings. It's calling me. See, we are destined to sit in the sun in Paris and sip tea and pretend to be urbane (while inside I'm saying, I can't believe I'm in paris, I can't believe I'm in Paris! We can't wait to see you. And yes, what did the chicken do?
RépondreSupprimerBTW, love the message on the tea bag- "Be kind and compassionate and the whole world will be your friend"... except maybe the French are immune to this?
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