Central Market in Adelaide

The Central Market, open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.    An amazing market, and the best I have seen, with its array of stalls and food from around the world.    And the locally produced food is very remarkable too.   A 'foodies' market especially, but interesting for everyone else too.   A definite 'must visit' place for tourists too.    That is now us of course.

When we lived here, Walter visited the market each week, early on a Friday morning in order to buy our fruit and vegetables.  But often we would shop there on Friday evenings, when we would spend money on other food items too, such as delicious cheeses and breads, and cold meats.    

The centre of the market, by the escalators, was the place where we would arrange to meet each other, together with all the other people who had the same idea.   Always busy.   

Now which cheese will I select?  Scott surveying the huge collection of local and imported cheeses.   We noticed the Comte cheese which we buy in the South of France, quite cheaply, was selling for $85 a kilo.  We thought we would wait until we were next at the campsite before indulging in our favourite cheese.

Watermelons, watermelons and more watermelons.    Scott was impressed with the number and size of the water melons.   

 This was once Reg Muller's fruit and vegetable stall, but there were new owners now, who have made it into a self service stall.   No more personal service.    Donna worked here for a couple of years, earning some money while at university.    She became very good at being able to add and multiply quickly in her head, and then give the correct change.   Not an easy task when it was so busy.     Walter bought our fruit and vegetables from this stall for sixteen years.  

The chocolate fountains, oozing in delicious chocolate sauce.

 After the influx of Vietnamese refugees, which then also brought an influx of other Asian migrants,  the market established two Asian food halls, filled with the most amazing variety of food from Singapore, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bali.    All food is freshly cooked and cheap.    I wondered at times if we were sitting in a food hall in Singapore, rather than in Adelaide.    Last week we chose a Malay curry, and today we chose food at the Chinese stall (self service and all you can eat for $6.50).   Delicious.    But very noisy.

Then afterwards we drank coffee a Lucia's, a cafe in the market which is very popular.    Excellent coffee, made by Maria, who has taken over the cafe from her parents, who started it years and years ago.    Maria still remembered Walter, which was remarkable, but then he had coffee there every week, for sixteen years, and then every time he visited Adelaide during the past twenty years.   Tradition.  
So important.

We met up with Andreena on both visits to the market, as she now works in a building which overlooks the market.   It was great to catch up, and have lunch together.    

And today we also saw Morag, who was dashing through the market, on the way to an appointment.  

Central market is not just about food, it is also a place to meet people, and talk.