​The Ginger Ninja Trials: Ginger Ninja Does A Farmers Market Field Trip

The other day, I had the chance to go to my local farmers market. The sky was blue, it wasn’t too hot or cold, and a nice breeze was floating through. It was definitely an ideal day to go.

What was not ideal, however, was the 40 preschoolers accompanying me on this outing. It definitely made shopping, testing Ginger Ninja skills, and staying sane quite difficult.

The ride over wasn’t so bad. We went to a different farmers market than I usually go so, naturally, I got lost. I also somehow managed to still beat the school bus there by about ten minutes. Ginger Ninja skills = 1, Traffic = 0.

This is where things started to go downhill. I waited near the other parents (who didn’t seem to notice I was there) while the teachers (also oblivious) unloaded the monsters children and organized them into cute little lines. Many of the children waved to me or give me a high five on the way to the line. Ginger Ninja skills = 10, Other Parents = 0, Teachers = 0, Preschoolers = 40.

Once the wee darlings were organized into their lines, we made our way into the market, where the line promptly disintegrated in favor of touching anything they could reach (i.e. everything). I put forth my best containment efforts with minimal results. In addition to my colossal failure at using the Jedi Mind Trick, I was noticed by Force Adepts children, other parents, teachers, and booth keepers. Ginger Ninja skills = 10, Other Parents = 6, Teachers = 4, Preschoolers = 80, Shop Keepers = I lost count, but at least 8. We’re going to say 8.

We saw all kinds of fruits and vegetables, some which were better priced than the farmers market I usually go to. In the end I purchased some grapes (probably the best I’ve ever tasted) and some carambola. Ginger Ninja skills = 10, Other Parents = 12, Teachers = 8, Shop Keepers = 12.

I stuck around for a while. As I said, the weather was nice and there was a shaded bench where I sat for about ten minutes, reading and eating a rambotan. During this time period, I was spotted by other parents, shop keepers, and the manager of the farmers market. Ginger Ninja skills = 10, Other Parents = 14, Teachers = 8, Shop Keepers = There’s no point counting because they win, Farmers Market Manager = 1.

All in all, it was an interesting trip. I got some fresh fruits and sunshine while finding the location of another farmers market. My Ginger Ninja skills obviously still need some work but I learned an important lesson from today’s trip: The farmers market is a wonderful place, made more calm by the absence of 40 uncontrollable 4 year olds who touch literally everything they possibly can. Including that dead fish. No, I’m not kidding.

Did you enjoy this episode of the Ginger Ninja Trials? Let me know in the comments so I can go on more insane and ridiculous adventures!