The Central Markets – What is it all about?

by PENELOPE NORTH

“Referencing standard dictionaries will attract penalties. Students should consult specialist dictionaries for definitions”

We’re all familiar with this marker’s pet peeve getting its fair share of lip service during assignment prep or post-mortem discussions. So in the spirit of good research, visit the Adelaide Central Market for the real meaning of ‘buzzing’ Saturdays 12-3pm. This particular time is when the full Attenborough doco experience is guaranteed for first-timers as the human equivalent of frantic Salmon migration occurs. Manic Saturdays promise fresh local fruit and veg that gets cheaper towards closing time (necessary info to avoid uni student scurvy) and endless exotic foodie temptations (my experimental highlights: readymade dumplings for home yum cha, raw mussels and vongole – lowlights: duck liver pate and fresh okra: there’s experimental and then there’s Gaga). But there’s something Melbourne-esque happening here that the term ‘market’ doesn’t do justice to. With quirky clothing boutiques, live music Saturdays, dog-eared books for sale, spicy aromas, an ever-overflowing Italian restaurant and greengrocer spruikers (who are a performance in themselves), this is grocery shopping on steroids. Not a hush-hush kind of secret I know, but a city’s market does reveal a lot about a place. So I guess we’re strangely charming – like the pie floater or Ryan Fitzgerald.