Last night I spent the best six dollars I've spent in a long time.

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The sun was setting; the sky was taking on a violet glow that was brushed with white cloud whisps; the air was crisp and cool; rustling tornados of leaves were spinning on the pavement and along chain-link fences; the tiny white lights hanging from the tent roofs at the farmer's market in the distance made the persimmon and pumpkins underneath them glow hues of red and orange. To think that a season of sunset farmer's markets is ahead of me made me feel warm and excited inside. I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my puffy grey coat and walked briskly toward the scene.

*

I had a crumpled ten dollar bill in my in my pocket, the only cash to my name, and I had a vague idea of the prepared food vendors that sell at the Tuesday Berkeley Farmer's Market. I walked past Flacos, the vegetarian Mexican food stand, and the smell of cooking masa filled my senses; at Flacos you can purchase delicious tamales and taquitos and beans and rice and salad...I've eaten there before and my mouth watered at the memory. I felt the urge to move ahead, though.

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The next stand was Andy and Cindy's Thai Cuisine. There were at least ten people in line, all of them excitedly musing over what they were going to order. The Chicken Satay? Peanut Sauce or not? The Carrot salad? The Vegetable Spring rolls? Or a curry? The smoke from the makeshift kitchen under their tent was billowing through the air carrying the smells to those of us waiting in line, making us even more anxious to try the food. Andy and Cindy were both simlutaneously preparing the food and interacting with the customers, and they worked together symbiotically. When I got to the front of the line, I ordered the Vegetable Curry (I also wanted to try the Vegetarian Spring Rolls, but they were out)...which cost a mere six dollars. Cindy filled a good-sized Chinese takeout container with golden rice and then spooned on the steaming curry. We quickly exchanged money and gratitudes, and as soon as I was a few steps away, I cradled the warm container in both hands, lifted the lid and breathed in deeply. I smelled potatoes and herbs and curry and coconut; I felt warmth; I saw red and orange drowned in a light golden sauce that promised spiciness. I took my first bite; the vegetables were pefectly cooked; there was broccoli and potatoes and butternut squash and tofu....all ingredients, I knew, that had been sourced from the market. It was delicious. When I finally made it down to the rice, the curry sauce had saturated the golden grains.

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I walked back to my car and sat down on its hood to finish my meal from heaven. Little kids were running along the sidewalks in costume, their parents ambling behind, smiling; families were walking away from the market, their canvas bags full of fresh produce. I turned to the West and watched the sky turn a deeper violet as the sun set and I knew that this was one of those simple moments that will remain forever etched in my memory.