More notes on the neighborhood

Yesterday, Saturday, we headed east. We had heard that there is a good market not too far from us, the Nuovo Mercato Esquilino. It is somewhat maligned in the guide books, but we thought it would be worth a try. This is an area with some ethnic diversity and so this phenomenal market has food vendors from all over the world. We were overwhelmed (literally) by all the fish stands, butcher's stalls selling everything including halal meats, sellers of veges, fruits, and nuts and pulses in folded down burlap bags, and the always colorful spice stands with turmeric, paprika, and various curry spices that really brighten everything up. Not that the people, signs, sounds and activity weren't enough!

On the way back we had a long leisurely lunch at the great Trattoria Monti and noticed another of the good things about this neighborhood, lots of "real stores" as opposed to tourist shops, around here: shops selling affordable clothes, not as interesting as the designer fashions a half hour walk away, office supplies "super store", grocers, farmacias with drugs and foot supports and not so much emphasis on Kiehls face washes, a sewing machine store, a bike shop, a couple of piano shops and, of course, lots of tiny bars and cafes.