Open Air Markets in Catanzaro Lido

Part of this post was originally published in March, ’07, but since I’ve been out of the country for the better part of a month, I’ve missed my markets and I wanna talk about ’em again.

You see, Thursday is Market Day in Catanzaro Lido and like all good Calabrians, I like to make my way there at least once a month. The rows of €5.00 shirts, nickle trinkets and fresh flowers pull me in every time.

And I love it.

Recently, my hubby and I were enjoying a passeggiata at the market when I saw a line of the cutest, most feminine lingerie ever!

Ok, well it wasn’t exactly the most feminine lingerie I have ever seen, but it was pretty darn cute for the mercatino.

“Yes, but I have a problem,” I attempted and Pep finished for me … .

“I don’t know my Italian size.”

“No problem,” she said. “I know American sizes, what size are you?”

So I told her my size and she invited me behind the table to look through her selection.

“You can try them on,” she said.

“In there?” I asked as I pointed to the storage van behind her.

“Si, certo,” she said. “I even have a mirror.”

Well, those of you in Italy know how it works. You crawl into their van, they slam the door shut and you try on your clothes.

It is dark, and, on days like today, damp and cold. I usually try to avoid the van-doubling-as-a-fitting-room scene, but I had no choice. Cute lingerie from the market is a must!

So, I hop into the van and as expected, she slams the door shut.

I begin to change when I feel a little-too-much breeze on my back. I turn my head only to see the back of the van wide open.

Mah!

Come on, admit you … you love the markets, too, don’t you? Where is your favorite market and what are your favorite things to buy there?