Living in London is expensive. But one of the perks is the chance to travel cheaply throughout Europe. One thing my husband and I always do when traveling abroad is to find a flea market or street fair where locals go. Sometimes this will take you to out-of-the way places where you may be a bit uncomfortable. We’ve found that it’s always worth it, however. Make sure your pocketbook is close to you and you’re not wearing extravagant clothes or jewelry and be ready to bargain!
In Seville, Spain we went to a fair that was about a twenty-minute drive from the city center. We found ourselves emerged in throngs of locals who were shouting from behind their booths selling TVs, antiques, food, toys, parrots—everything and the kitchen sink. In a booth that also sold antique dressers, I found four signed Moroccan platters and bowls. I bought a large platter that spoke to me, with brilliant blues and greens. The next day, when walking around the city center, I found one a bit similar to what I bought, which wasn’t signed, for sale for eighty Euros more than the mere twenty Euros I had spent. This surely isn’t akin to discovering a Goya hidden amongst throw-away paintings, but hey, I was really excited!
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Best Foreign Finds
By: Laura Roe Stevens (
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11.14.2007
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Honduran cigars. In country, a handmade, long leaf filled, maduro wrapped Churchill cigar will cost you a nickel to a dime each. In the USA, the same cigar will cost anywhere from two dollars to five dollars each. Now that taxes for you.
08.24.2007
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I love the Open Markets in France. They are full of flowers, cheeses, and almost anything you might want to eat and some have other things as well. In Boulogne Sur Mer my friend and I stopped at one of the cheese vendors. My friend is British and speaks French. He asked for a sample of cheese for me to taste. I am from Georgia and have a very distinct Southern Accent. I told my friend how much I liked the cheese and the vendor continued to give us more and more samples of different cheeses. We finally bought some and after we left the vendor my friend said he had never been given more than 1 sample before when he visited the vendors. He told me the vendors were all standing around to listen to me speak because they were not accustomed to anyone with my accent. Love it there.
05.22.2007
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While walking home a few weekends ago, I finally stopped at "the junk house" on my way up the hill. The junk house always had junk in front of it, particularly arranged in a certain way that sent mixed messages, so I never knew if the stuff was just for the taking or not. This time a guy stood outside with a gorgeous trunk at his feet. This wasn't any old trunk, this was like the treasure chest that sat at the helm of a pirate's ship. It was accented with varnished wood and was perfectly aged to perfection. Not only did I get a new trunk ($30 as is, but I paid him $50 and he put on new hinges and leather straps so that I could lift and use it), but I got a new friend. Steve had lived off and on in Micronesia for the last twenty years and I have always wanted to visit that region of the Pacific. So now I have a beautifully-old trunk, a new friend, and an adventure to come when I want to seek it out.
And my favorite foreign market was right up from where I lived in Bangkok: Chatachuk
And my favorite foreign market was right up from where I lived in Bangkok: Chatachuk
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