OK, so why am I showing you the Central Market?  Well, it has a lot more visual spice and interest than taking pictures of Albertsons or Safeway back home, and also has some of the "flavor" of the countryside markets !  So, gather up your supply of shopping bags (you have to carry everything yourself, and this market is so big that it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from one side to the other).   I use my backpack, which further identifies me as a foreigner, but keeps my arms from getting longer and longer!

Much of the market is outside, which makes it interesting when it is snowing, I am told!

The variety of products ranges from food to car parts, from TV/Sterio to clothing.  All in one "convenient location".

The isles get very crowded, as you can see in this picture.  Then, when you thought all was safe, some guy comes through pushing a big cart that is as wide as the isle, honking the bicycle horn (!) he has carefully attached to the handle, to let you know that your ankles are about to be bruised if you don't climb up on top of the pile of oil tins you have cowered up against!

Some vendors operate out of trucks, or like this shop, out of the trunk of their car!  This trunk is full of drugs (medicinal), although you can buy morphine and such powerful drugs without prescription!  "Now sir, we have just gotten in a fine selection of pain killers and anti-diarrheals!  How can I help you today??"

I love this picture!  These are mountains of flour and (I think) milk powder!  How they keep them from pouring into the walkways I have no idea !  You bring a bag or can and buy by the kilo.  The quality is good, although you should sift the flour to strain out the flour worms (of course, my mom always said that they are in the flour we get at home in the US too!)  I don't actually own a flour sifter, so I just cook my bread/pancakes/cookies/whatever really well and enjoy the extra nutrition!  Not too many "prepared foods" here (and those you find at the fancy stores are REALLY REALLY EXPENSIVE) so I make up batches of pancake mix, and have actually made my own bread once, but it didn't turn out too well..  Normally I just buy bread across the street from the apartment from the bakery there.  (No picture for you, but it does NOT look like the bakery at home!)

OK, I have to admit that I like the "shock value" of this picture!  These are resting (oops, I mean roasting) piglets.  What is amazing is the uniform size, shape and "pose" they offer!  I have not tried cooking one of these little beauties yet, but maybe soon!

The fruit here is excellent quality and very abundant this time of year.  Georgia used to be called The Breadbasket of Eastern Europe, and for good reason!
 

The tomatoes are "in season" right now.
 

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