Looks and sounds like a fab vacation! Since my first and only trip to the Netherlands I've wanted to get back to that part of the world, esp. Antwerp -- the real food destination and an overall kick-ass city. The details of the market you chose are so evocative of winter months. Actually, the weather was hardly what you could call “warm” (based on Cali criteria) when I was in Amsterdam in July '98.

Hope Anya was a trooper on the big flight, though it's not *that* much longer than flying from coast to coast in the U.S. She's getting to be quite the seasoned traveler already, eh?

Thanks Jessica. Posting these pictures, I'm reminded how different the market is from the ones I photographed in Italy last summer. Definitely no peaches and figs anywhere, though the mushrooms were pretty amazing looking.

Anya did pretty well. Going to Amsterdam was, surprisingly, only 6 hours, which is amazing. Coming back was a little longer (7.5 hours). Anya did do pretty well, though she did spend about half of each trip in a sling across my chest. She's pushing 17 pounds, so while she slept, I had none.

I have to mention about this small deli based in Sheffield called Bragazzis. Matteo Bragazzis has developed and found some of the most beautiful and undiscoved products from Italy. He is now in the process of opening a website to offer next day delivery. Things are a little bit on the expensive side...but I have not found them anywhere before. www.bragazzis.com if you are ever in Sheffield pop in and visit him. Chocolates and Ice Cream are to die for!...Italy x