Midweek Food Market

Behind the town's central bus station is a public square, similar public squares in European capitals only somewhat drabber, and slightly decrepit. Paved in red brick and surrounded by a collection of shops typical for such locales - newsagents, fast food stands, gambling centres, latrine - there also features a "licensed" Mac retailer, a (overpriced and poorly stocked) high-street music outlet, a vegetarian Italian bakery-cafe-ice cream parlor (the vibe of which I can't work out) and a board game cafe, the likes of which is becoming increasingly popular in this country. So, a mixed bag. Also drinking youth and homeless. A major cinema chain is also represented, and which is certainly the worst of all the cinemas in the town (although I recall enjoying an Ardman film once with my in-laws, and, considerably more so, the Will Ferrell film where he played car racer Ricky Bobby).

The main square part, the empty bit between these shops, is given over to various markets on several days of the week, usually fresh food but also clothing, books and dvds (and records - I will be back), scented candles, and food stalls, always pretty impressive and well visited. This day had much of the latter, and it was refreshing to see a number of cuisines represented which do not commonly appear in food halls or markets in my home country (Hungarian!). I enjoyed some Tibetan dumplings, which were good and spicy, but wish I'd had goulash.