So, now I’m in two minds….

Today was the first Thursday of the month. And what did that mean? It meant that the local market had rolled into town.

As I’ve previously said, I needed to buy some more underpants, albeit a size larger this time. I obviously didn’t want them to be quite so snug.

As a result, I jumped out of bed, did a few chores and then set off.

Once there, I decided first of all to do a quick circuit, and find the stall with the best underpants options.

I quickly realised that inflation is on the move here in Fuzeta. When I last purchased underpants, they were three for €5. Today, just a month later, they were TWO for €5! That’s a 50% increase for each item! Bloody hell… talk about price appreciation. Still, in the big scheme of things they were still a lot cheaper than those I used to buy in the UK.

I continued walking around to see if I could spot a better deal, and in the process also bought some towels (for my guests who are arriving in August) and a couple of pillow cases. Did I need these things? Not really, but I can’t resist a bargain. Still, I was now €25 down and still hadn’t bought my undies.

I carried on and stumbled across another stall offering underpants, but in this instance, five pairs for a tenner. That was more like it! So, five pairs it was then, five pairs of XXXL… don’t tell anyone, please.

I handed over my money, picked up my new undies and turned for home, ruing the fact that that I was becoming a Thursday-market junkie – buying things that I’m not sure I even need.

Maybe I should give the market a miss next time out?

But having said that, and the reason why I’m in two minds about the whole thing, my trip to the market was rather eventful.

Whilst wandering between the stalls, at one point I found myself stuck behind a very slow mobility scooter. Blimey, he really was slow, and I think that mentally, I was rolling my eyes in frustration – not actually rolling them, obviously, that would be rude, wouldn’t it? Then all of a sudden, he took off like a rocket! What the…? What was he doing? And then I realised that he was out of control, that we had a wayward mobility scooter in our midst. I could do nothing but watch as he smashed into a group of Portuguese pensioners, and one old guy in particular, who spent the next couple of minutes hobbling around, point at his leg and complaining. The driver of the scooter just sat there – in shock? Probably – as old ladies surrounded him, berating him for his actions. I don’t think that anyone was badly hurt, but it was all very exciting.

I carried on and then found that, when I was purchasing my goods, I was actually using some of the Portuguese that I’ve been spoon-fed over the past nine months. Yes, I was now actually communicating with local people in their own language – a weird feeling, but a small step forward.

Next, I ran into Irish Tony. I nearly didn’t recognise him since he’s now lost his beard. Will wonders never cease? I’m not sure how his bearded compatriots will react to that. We’ll find out, I suppose. And then, as I was leaving the market, I came across a couple of fire engines, a couple of GNR patrol cars and a cordon around a block of apartments next to the Italian restaurant. There had been a fire apparently, although nothing too disastrous, it seems. A large crowd had gathered and were enjoying the spectacle. I joined them for a while, had a chat with José, and then headed home.

So, now I’m in two minds. Do I go to the market next month or do I give it a miss? When I’m there I needlessly spend money, but today, I enjoyed the action and the activities that went with my visit. It’s a tough one.

Maybe, next month, I’ll let you know what I decide.