Ring our bell!

I don't have photo or video evidence of this, but Sebastian got to ring the city market bell on Saturday. For those who don't know our fair town, the city market is the oldest continuing food market in the country (1876 and survived the massive fire that burnt down much of the city the following year) and the heart of "uptown". http://www.sjcitymarket.ca/index.html A covered market, it has been physically preserved and has a great vibe, even if it is not a farmers/organic/boho market. Plus you can get fresh Montreal bagels there every Thursday from noon on. On Saturdays, there are deli stalls (Iranian, Ecuadorian, Jamaican, organic pizza, etc) staffed by some the chattiest people in town, who happen to make very tasty foods). It is the site of the annual CBC radio remote in mid-December - a highly fun and sucessful event on the social calendar (when Seb can stare at his favourite CBC personality - Rachel Cave-Bauer - while she works).

Once the weather turns cold (say October 1!), we walk through the market to get to just about anywhere (library, pool, post office, etc). So we are fairly well-known; I think we are well-liked too- at least we were until I started bringing in the SUV of a stroller this winter...). The famous Java Moose http://www.javamoose.com/is a frequent stop and I often oggle the yarns at Cricket Cove. We like to chat with the greengrocers (while checking out their discount table to come up with a supper idea or getting nostalgic about their British goods shelf - Branston Pickle anyone?) and check in on the live lobster tank (though no touching 'cus of allergies...). You can't not bump into someone you know as you pass through.

So it was somewhat of a surprise to find a new angle to the market this weekend. We were searching for "market money" (gift certificates to give to Seb's daycare worker) and were directed to the "crow's nest". It's the market manager's office, a glass box perched high above the market and with great views on the architecture, decorations and people! It also has a beautiful, new staircase. Maureen - the market production manager - was thrilled to have a 4 year old visitor and invited Seb to come in and ring the historic bell (which she tolls "whenever I feel like it"). First, she made an anouncement on the PA, then he rang the bell, and finally he flung a "Merry Christmas" out of the open window to the cheering masses (well, one guy applauded). What a thrill!

Then on the way down said staircase, we played that we were on a pirate ship. Swash-buckling costumes and dramatic sword fights, plus some enemy ship spied through the telescope while the sharks lurk in the dangerous waters below. It was a wonderful moment to be in Saint John.

So anytime you want, we'll meet you in the Market!