Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground

Randy and Marc introduced me to the town of Loulé by a visit to it’s Saturday market. The market opens early in the morning and by noon the vendors are packing it in and heading for home so our day started relatively early. According to Wikipedia, the 2011 population count was slightly over 70,000.  Saturday January 6 also happened to be the Feast of the Epiphany in the Western Church – also known as the Festival of the Magi. Sometimes lovingly referred to as “the three wise guys”.  Groups of traditional musicians showed up at the market playing accordions, castanets, guitars and carry ornate banners. Their appearance was tied directly to the celebration of Epiphany. The market building is relatively new –  about 25 years old – and the place was busy. Everything from fresh fish to garden plants were available.

The entrance to Loulé market.

Everything from fresh fish to clothing.

Two happy shoppers.

And the music begins.

There’s always a story to go with the song.

The accordionist leads the way as the hat gets passed.

And there’s the banner.

Shellfish

Bundles of razor clams

Cuttle fish.

Maybe Holy mackerel

Fresh locally grown strawberries.

Flowers and

fresh herbs and plants for the garden.

This group were first on site and they didn’t lose any time making the rounds.

Castanets and

Carrots.

Flags a flying in the breeze and the brilliant yellow building across from the market.

Chapel walls covered completely in ceramic tiles

Side wall to …

the entrance.

Remnants of medieval wall found during renovations.

Christmas creche with hand carved figures by local artist.

See previous photo. The creche was in a room above the chapel accessed by a narrow stone stairway.

A 18th century painting on the ceiling.

Main altar from the doorway.

Taking a stroll around town.

Another beautiful abandoned building…

with an elegant entry.

On the opposite side of the square…

decaying elegance.

Old St. Nick makes his escape.

Local source of potable water.

Flowering vines in January.

The roundabout near the market.

On the road home…

with palm trees and ocean in the distance.

Lunch in Estoi at Anna’s restaurant.

A truly remarkable day.

Ended the day looking forward to the possibility of visiting a gypsy market on Sunday.