I went over to the Market today in the later afternoon, to take some pictures and hopefully talk to a few people. Despite the beautiful day and the upcoming long weekend, the few individuals I approached weren’t feeling particularly talkative. After several fairly polite responses of, “No, sorry,” I took a seat in the Center Court of the market to watch the people coming and going. I noticed the Duke women’s lacrosse team, in town for the final four games tomorrow at Franklin Field, eating late lunches across several tables. They all seemed like nice girls, but I couldn’t help but think, “I hope Penn wins!” I guess I really am a Philly girl at heart these days.

Several people sat around me, their laptops open on the tables in front of them, taking advantage of the free wireless in the market. It seems like a really fantastic way of spending a workday afternoon.

A middle-aged man sat a few tables away from me, his back to the Tokyo Sushi stall. He had a sketchpad propped up on his knee and an array of colored pencils splayed out in front of him. He continually scanned the room, looking for people to draw. At one point I walked behind him, and noticed that he was using a young woman with bright pink hair as his inspiration. She continued to eat her sandwich and read a book, apparently oblivious to the fact that her likeness was being committed to paper. A group of young teenage girls walked by him and his sketches caught their attention. They swarmed around him and pelted him with questions. He answered every one with gentle patience, giving every girl the opportunity to look at his work close up.

The market has such a relaxed, easy going feel in the late afternoon, after the lunch rush has ended and before people come pelting through in the post-work hour, trying to pick up the bits they need for dinner before the market closes. I recommend spending a little time there during that window if you are able.