T(w)o Market, t(w)o market
Meditations on an “authentic” Italian experience

by Samara Watkiss

I love open air markets. One of my fondest travel memories is an early morning run with my father through Venice’s Rialto market. The fish mongers were arriving with the day’s catch and it was a sight unlike anything I had every seen coming from a land-locked western state. I was delighted to return to Rialto this morning with Louise Fili and the SVA group. The market was small but full of beautiful produce, fresh fish, classic Italian typography and tourists. I happily wandered among the stalls, snapped photos along with the other visitors, and paid too much for a bag of sun dried tomatoes.

This evening I went to another Venetian market, Billa. This being my second journey to the local supermarket I knew not to arrive too close to closing time and where to get a number for the deli counter. Armed with my mediocre Italian I managed to order 200 grams of “Insalata di Funghi” and inform the checkout clerk that I did have my own bag. Although, I did not see anyone else taking pictures at Billa, I believe it is a must-see authentic Venetian experience.