The American Countryside Farmers Market is all about bringing people together. Every weekend I see people sitting down over a meal, laughing and talking...or happily sharing a great discovery at one of our artisans' booths.
I experienced this lovely phenomenon first hand recently. Last week I was called down from my office on the second floor to the Welcome Center in the Food Court because there was a couple who needed some help. When I arrived I was delighted to meet a lovely older couple who were eagerly wanting to purchase an item from one of our first floor vendors. They were actually helped before I got there and having had their goal accomplished, they were happy to spend some time with me.
I noticed right off their charming accents, and I encouraged them to talk with me so I could enjoy the full tantilizing lilt of their speech. They obliged me without hesitation. My first question to most of our guests, especially those with charming accents, is always, "Where are you from?" When this couple told me they were from Plymouth, England, ("where the Pilgrims sailed from!") my curiosity was even more piqued and the second question, of course, was, "How did you find out about the Market?"
They explained to me that they had taken a month off from their jobs and had come to the States, rented an RV and were seeing our beautiful country. They were camping at a campground east of South Bend and had picked up one of our brochures. (Yay! Marketing does work!)
The day before they had spent the day in Chicago, and the "mum" exclaimed over how they loved the city and how clean it was. When I expressed a desire to visit London, she said, "Oh, you'd be disappointed. It's not nearly as clean." I explained to her that I was raised in and had lived most of my life in the Chicago suburbs and knew of some areas she would find "not nearly as clean" as well. I told her that my desire to see London had to do with the history and the antiquity of the city...something we don't have here in this country. I also expressed an envy over their ability to take a month off and travel another country. They encouraged me to try it!
We probably spent only 15 minutes together, but we connected. I almost expected them to invite me to come visit them when I finally make it to England. If they had, I would have accepted! Imagine! - a bit of tea in jolly old England!
My days are primarily full of deadlines, phone calls, meetings, and the usual marketing concerns. This chance encounter with some people from "across the pond" made my day and made me smile. Where else could this happen? You just never know who you might meet and how they might inspire your life. Every day is an adventure when there are people connecting!
See you at the Market! It's so much more than just a Farmers Market!
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