It is rare when I catch both the opening and closing of a market.

This happened on a recent visit to Berkeley, CA. Of course, my day had started with a bowl of CA fresh flavorful berries at the hotel where I was staying. Then, I had decided to go for a brief walk and was able to witness the first few heartbeats of the Saturday Farmers Market (I had an event to attend, so I could not stay too long). A Market opening is a relatively calm affair, compared to the busier times that follow. Produce are mostly still in boxes, owners proceed about their business, putting together tables and tents, arranging fruits and vegetables on displays...

Still, vivid colors and beautiful vegetables could already be enjoyed:

I had a nice chat with some stall owners, who were kind enough to let me try a couple of their delicious strawberries.

These were such an open invitation for another visit! So once my event was done, I detoured to the Market which luckily was still open. However, my first stop was not fruits or vegetables but ... chocolate...

This amazing raw chocolate is sweetened with coconut sugar, and after a couple of samples, I bought a bar filled with hazelnut truffle mousse, and another plain one. (Both did not last very long...) As I left the chocolate stall, I passed by a dairy stall which uses only milk from grass-fed cows...

I don't do too much dairies, but a yoghurt from this stall was worth a purchase...

Of course I also made sure to buy some of these strawberries! (I could have bought the entire stall!!)

And as I walked along to exit the Market on its last few moments, produce and beautiful flowers were still to be seen. I wish I could have grabbed a bunch but difficult to do on a short trip. I guess, I will have to visit again...