Capitalism, in a strange and sort of terrible way, has also been my savior in Wellington. Wellington has a few major fruit and veggie markets every week, and my market of choice is the Harbourside Market next to the Te Papa Museum every Sunday. I mention capitalism in this because this market definitely isn't a farmers market. I'm relatively sure most of the food is flown in from Asia. It's mostly food you want to eat sooner rather than later, and I'm sure it's pesticided like crazy. But... it's cheap. SO CHEAP. How is it cheaper than food grown in New Zealand?? Riddle me this. I could probably find similar prices if I went directly to farms, but the actual farmers markets are quite expensive in Wellington (validly), and the grocery stores are even worse. But at this market, I can pick up the whole weeks worth of food for $12. Or maybe $18, if I buy some meat from the (wonderful, local, ethical) butcher that's on site.
SO CHEAP. So, for travelers like me and for the broke people of Wellington, it's probably worth playing into the ridiculous ridiculous RIDICULOUS system in which we all live, as much of a shame as that is. I suppose those of us who know and do nothing are an even worse part of the problem than those who don't know. But.
$12 at the market versus $50 at New World.
It's a colorful, crowded, friendly place, and it's right on the water. It's nice to just sit on the lawn by the museum when you're done shopping and just people watch. I don't know how great the moral implications of it all are (am I being too harsh?) but overall, it's a lovely, lovely experience.