EL RASTRO

Sunday was filled with more wonderful adventures in the Manc. I started my day with a swim and then I headed to meet up with some girls in my group at the Plaza. We were headed to an open-air flee-market called El Rastro. I had heard rumors of this market for its cheap prices and good deals, but I had no idea how over whelming it would be. About ten of us went to market. Susie’s friends were visiting from JMU, so they came along with us. It just so happened that one of Susie friends, Katie, works for the breeze. This was the surprise of my day! I asked her if I could have her bring something back for Tim. I was so happy she agreed. On Monday I bought Tim a little something and gave it to Katie before she headed back to Madrid.

El Rastro was down by the river on the outskirts of town. As we were walking down there, we started to see a steady stream of people headed in the same direction. Our first glimpse of the market was a little intimidating. There were hordes of people, bargaining, pushing and searching through all the goods. There were several rows of tables selling purses, scarves, clothes, jewelry, shoes, belts, wallets, watches pretty much anything and everything. You could get a watch for 6 euros purse for 5 a belt for 3 and a scarf for 2. It was like a dream come true. I only brought 8 euros with me, because I sensed that this would be a dangerous place for me. I ended up buying a green pashmina for 3 euros. I walked away from some really nice belts, but I think I will have to make another trip to this market at the end of the month. Sarah has not seen the all the deals, and I know she is a sucker for jewelry and scarves.

We did have one really unwelcoming encounter at the market. Along with all the really cheap stuff, there was also knock off merchandise from Puma, Addias and various other brands. Andrea, Hannah and I walked into one of these tented tables and started looking around. As soon as we entered the tent, the man selling the knock off goods started yelling at us. He kept saying “fuera, fuera, fuera, os fuera, son extraneros,” which translates to get out, get out you are foreigners. What a friendly man. It’s not like we did not have the same euros as everyone else. Oh well, I will just have to steer clear of that tent on my next visit.