If you like you can skip right to my post on the Vaksala Torg fleamarket.
Some things don't change - and my hankering after a good deal is one of them. There's no denying that Sweden is expensive although it's not as simple as saying everything is a certain percentage more than it is in Victoria. As I've mentioned in the grocery shopping section some items cost more than they are at in Victoria, some are about the same and others are cheaper. For produce I often shop at the open air markets set up most days under a tent in Vaksala Torg (square). Just like the merchants in Chinatown in Victoria the vendors at the Vaksala Torg produce market put overripe, slightly bruised/worn and less than optimal appearing goods out front in special bins at reduced prices. I cruise through these bins first looking for squishy bananas (ideal for banana bread) or melons on that incredibly sweet cusp between exquisite ripeness and slightly rotten.
So that's groceries sorted - but there are certainly other bargains to be had. In the above-mentioned Vaksala Torg there is a phenomenally good flea market where one of my recent purchases was a bodum brand glass french press in absolutely pristine condition - it looks brand new and as if it has never been used. The best price I've seen for new ones in the shops is at least 200 SEK ($30). This one was 10 SEK ($1.50)!
Another good deal was found at the Helping Hand secondhand shop in the city (they have another larger outlet in the suburbs where you can find furniture and other large items). This Puma bag which also looks brand new and is in perfect condition was 85 SEK (about $13) which is much less than similar new bags. Perfect for my trip to Stockholm (I'll get to that later on another page of this blog).
Yesterday while walking with my roomies after we enjoyed fika at a local cafe I realized that my left sandal was broken and I decided to buy some new ones today. I went out for a jog and designed it so that I ended up at the shopping center (or fairly close by) at the end of my hour's run (or shuffle - let's be honest, I'm no speed demon). I was looking for sandals I'd seen the other day for 80 SEK but couldn't find them. Instead I found two pairs of sandals - marked down from 399 SEK to 99 SEK. One pair was made in Thailand, the other in India and the pair from Thailand was marked as being genuine leather. They're really comfy and I think they're going to be pretty hard wearing.
Finally, the last bargain was the best of all. Downstairs in the lobby of the apartment building people put items that they no longer want and when I came back from shopping this afternoon this ANTONIUS rack, complete with baskets, was sitting down there. I grabbed it immediately. I'm hoping that I can somehow add to this frame and create a rack for hanging clothes.
Some things don't change - and my hankering after a good deal is one of them. There's no denying that Sweden is expensive although it's not as simple as saying everything is a certain percentage more than it is in Victoria. As I've mentioned in the grocery shopping section some items cost more than they are at in Victoria, some are about the same and others are cheaper. For produce I often shop at the open air markets set up most days under a tent in Vaksala Torg (square). Just like the merchants in Chinatown in Victoria the vendors at the Vaksala Torg produce market put overripe, slightly bruised/worn and less than optimal appearing goods out front in special bins at reduced prices. I cruise through these bins first looking for squishy bananas (ideal for banana bread) or melons on that incredibly sweet cusp between exquisite ripeness and slightly rotten.
So that's groceries sorted - but there are certainly other bargains to be had. In the above-mentioned Vaksala Torg there is a phenomenally good flea market where one of my recent purchases was a bodum brand glass french press in absolutely pristine condition - it looks brand new and as if it has never been used. The best price I've seen for new ones in the shops is at least 200 SEK ($30). This one was 10 SEK ($1.50)!
Another good deal was found at the Helping Hand secondhand shop in the city (they have another larger outlet in the suburbs where you can find furniture and other large items). This Puma bag which also looks brand new and is in perfect condition was 85 SEK (about $13) which is much less than similar new bags. Perfect for my trip to Stockholm (I'll get to that later on another page of this blog).
Yesterday while walking with my roomies after we enjoyed fika at a local cafe I realized that my left sandal was broken and I decided to buy some new ones today. I went out for a jog and designed it so that I ended up at the shopping center (or fairly close by) at the end of my hour's run (or shuffle - let's be honest, I'm no speed demon). I was looking for sandals I'd seen the other day for 80 SEK but couldn't find them. Instead I found two pairs of sandals - marked down from 399 SEK to 99 SEK. One pair was made in Thailand, the other in India and the pair from Thailand was marked as being genuine leather. They're really comfy and I think they're going to be pretty hard wearing.
Finally, the last bargain was the best of all. Downstairs in the lobby of the apartment building people put items that they no longer want and when I came back from shopping this afternoon this ANTONIUS rack, complete with baskets, was sitting down there. I grabbed it immediately. I'm hoping that I can somehow add to this frame and create a rack for hanging clothes.
Vaksala Torg Flea Market
As far as I know this primo flea market continues throughout the year every Saturday. The number of stalls and variety of items is staggering and there are always good deals to be had. I guess I'll find out in a couple of months whether the market does in fact keep going once the weather turns inclement. I know that on a rainy day we had recently there were very few vendors in the square and even fewer customers. But next Saturday when the weather was glorious everyone was back. Here are a few photos from the Saturday morning of Culture Night (September 8, 2012). |
| The Cafe On Wheels - run by a very pleasant lady from Togo - is usually at a different location in the square during the week (over at the edge of the square directly in front of the building above the umbrella). Does a roaring trade on flea market day selling drinks - hot and cold - as well as bulle (pastries) and other tasty treats. |
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| The crowd picking through the wares |
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| This might have been on the rainy day - it certainly looks very uncrowded. These two ladies were selling tasty spring rolls (both veg and non-veg) for 10 kr ($1.50) each |
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