Saturdate @ Eindhoven’s Market

Woke up this morning to a big, bright yellow thingy in the sky —a rare and magical sight! Decided I couldn't waste such a beautiful day, so I jumped into the shower, got dressed in a flash, and called up my partners in crime. Bikes ready, spirits high, we set off toward the one and only notorious Saturday market... adventure awaits!

After 15 minutes of biking through what was supposed to be "summerish" weather ( it was not!!), I decided I deserved a little treat. A hot stroopwafel—gooey caramel goodness sandwiched between crispy waffles—and a double shot of espresso? Yes, please! Yummy, yummy! Pretty sure I gained 2kg already, but hey… you only live once (holy molly, did I just say YOLO?

Where else would you find Ephie if not near the food stalls? 😏 Of course, the scent of gebraden kippen (rotisserie chicken) was calling my name! Ended up grabbing a piece for my tea tonight, along with some fresh cheese and salami—perfect for my Netflix time.

Actually, this is my first Saturday home post-surgery, so Netflix will be my hot date tonight . And yes, my big fat arse is staying right where it is! But seriously… an amazing Gouda for less than €10? I freaking love my Lowlands

Whilst browsing the fresh fish stalls, I picked up some fresh squid for tomorrow’s tea and—being my usual genius self—I stupidly asked the fish guy, “Where does the fish come from?” His deadpan reply? “From the sea.” 

Gosh, I was so grateful they couldn’t see my face turning tomato-red. Like, duh, of course I know that, fuckwit.  He must have sensed my soul leaving my body from sheer embarrassment because, out of pure pity (or amusement), he handed me a fresh deep-fried kibbeling with garlic sauce. 🤣 Now that is what we call Brabant’s hospitality! 

My tummy was so full—seriously, I was on the verge of exploding. But I still took my time to wander through the fruit and veggie stalls. This time, I kept my mouth shut and resisted the urge to ask any weird questions… even though I was dying to know where those sweet and juicy strawberries came from.

Three boxes for €5? Yes, please! That means tomorrow’s breakfast will be a super healthy bowl of fresh strawberries and yogurt. Balance, right?

I was totally excited—literally jumping with joy—when I spotted those gorgeous khaki (Sharon) fruits! YUMMMM, I was in heaven! And the best part? A whole box for just €2.50!

You’d think I’d wait until I got home to dig in, right? NOPE.  I shamelessly asked the guy if I could borrow a knife, and guess what? He said yes! Two fruits down in minutes, and I had zero regrets.

At this point, I swear I won’t eat again until the end of the year… but we all know that’s a big fat lie.

A kilo of figs, two pineapples, a kilo of apricots, and a kilo of pomegranates later… and I only spent less than €20?! I swear, I felt like I just won the lottery!  Back at AH (Albert Heijn), I would’ve easily dropped €50 for all that. It’s like Woolies in Straya, or Fred Meyer and Publix in ‘Merica—aka, daylight robbery.

Buzzing with excitement over my amazing bargains, my BFF and I biked back to my place for some refreshing drinks and, of course, to taste-test that glorious cheese I had just scored.

To wrap up this perfect Saturdate, I took my BFF to the airport for her flight home and stayed to watch the breathtaking sunset. A day well spent!

I really should go to the market more often—what an experience! The lively atmosphere, people happily bargaining, chatting, and just enjoying life... it was such a vibe. Maybe I need to be a little more down-to-earth and a little less snobbish sometimes. Oh, and that double shot espresso? Absolute perfection—way better than the overpriced €3.50 one from the tearoom.

What they say is true: "You don’t need much to be happy." Today was proof of that. I had an awesome Saturday, and I hope you all did too!

Eindhoven, Oct 5th..