Sabado Mercado!

We went and checked out Santo Antonio das Areias Saturday market! Another hot day walking the hour plus to reach the small town, but it was worth it! Prior to arriving in Portugal Graham and I did a lot of research on the country. Learning about the area we would be living in, the culture, and the history among many things. We had heard that Portugal was one of the more inexpensive countries to visit, but since joining the European Union the cost of living has risen. Fortunately for us it hasn't taken a dent out of the ole bank account! Having a house sit assignment with free accommodation hasn't hurt either! On this day we filled our 4 grocery bags from home with all sorts of goodness! Fresh baked bread and buns under a euro, 2 types of local cheeses about 4 euros for both, a giant bag of local olives 2 euros! YUM! By the way I come from a family of olive fanatics, and Graham is now a happy convert! How can you not love olives!!? Lots of fresh veggies and fruit, a bottle of local wine for under 3 euros, a wine opener, etc, etc. In total we probably spent about 22 euros, or $32 Canadian! Anyhoo! Like I said we have been pleasantly surprised! Now back to the bread, cheese and wine! 3 of the regions specialties, and found on every dinner table! The breads are amazing, always warm from the local baker and simply delicious with Nutella of course! The cheeses are rich with flavour. Goopy or firm and lightly fragrant to extremely stinky but oh so tasty!! Also good on the fresh bread! The region is covered with wineries. Let's just say we have sampled a few of the local wines, red and white, and have not been disappointed, never paying over 3 euros a bottle! That's $4.50 people!

Well that is about all the gloating I can do for the day… I believe I have made myself hungry and must hit the refrigerator for cheese and olives! Signing off with a few pictures of the town of Santo Antonio das Areias!

Bird cages hang outside of many homes!

All of the small villages we have visited have fresh water fountains in the town squares! Perfect place to refill the water bottle before the trek home!