Shopping in Spain: Int’l Bloggers Club Challenge

Hi, friends!!

Welcome to another month of our Int’l Blogger Club Monthly Challenge! As you already may know, I teamed up a group of bloggers from around the world and each month we are sharing different topics and traditions, and I can tell you it is really fun! Last month we talked about Flowers for Spring, the previous one was Easter, and this month we will be talking about shopping. Yes, I said shopping!! You may think that’s not a big business, but I am sure there will be differences between each country.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

I don’t live in the city. In fact, where I live there are no shops around so I need the car to buy anything I need. But I do love to go to the city to buy special things we don’t find at our closest supermarket.

There is one municipal market called “Mercado del Olivar” which is the oldest and biggest in all the island. It has lots of variety and great prices too. Below you will see one of the entrances.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

I love history, so I did a bit of research for you and I discovered it was built in 1951. It is funny there was nothing around it because now it stands in the middle of tall buildings with shops and it is always really busy.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

It was renovated in 2003, and as you can see it is really big and colorful.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Do I need to talk about the smell? In my defense, I have to say that particular day I was in a rush and left home without having breakfast, so when I walked by the cold meat I was tempted to buy everything! If you haven’t tried the “jamón serrano” (Spanish ham) you must plan a visit to Spain.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Here in Mallorca we have other typical foods as “sobrasada” and “botifarrons”, “morcilla” which is the black one, and “longaniza” and “fuet” typical from Catalonia.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Close to the market and still in the city center, there are lots of little roads where cars are not allowed to pass. There are plenty of different shops and it’s nice to walk there.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

I had to buy something for one project I am working on so I headed to one of my favorite shops, a haberdashery called “La Veneciana”

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Isn’t it a paradise?? It has anything you can need and imagine, and things you wouldn’t know they exist too! I would love to spend a whole weekend there.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Back on my way to get my car, I passed in front of this pretty building. Look at that balcony and the all the details of the façade.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

We also have carriages in some places. I really don’t like them because I don’t think the horse is too happy, but some tourists seem to enjoy the stroll.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

To finish my post, I want to show you my other favorite shopping place, a flea market!

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

I love to walk there and look for hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Like this pretty cart, it was only 15€ but I had to pass on it because my car is small and there was no way that could fit with my two daughters on board as well.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

What about this windmill? Super cute and it worked!!

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Pretty demijohns, in different sizes and colors.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

Even in case you are hungry, you can eat something.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

One of the things I love most about flea markets is price haggling and making new contacts, new sources of pretty things to makeover. Again, this beauty wouldn’t fit in my car but the guy was very nice and offered to deliver it. Let’s see if we can make business!

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

And when I was going back to the car thinking that I haven’t been very luck, I spotted this pretty mirror. I haggled over the price and got if for 15€, yay!! I have plans for it, stay tuned!

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

So when I think about shopping, this is basically my concept. Nothing stressful and really fun! Now I can’t wait to see how my fellow bloggers do their shopping.

Shopping in Spain - Int'l Bloggers Club

If you want to find out too, you can visit the other projects by clicking on the links below.

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Thanks for stopping by, have a great week!

Hugs,

Pili  

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16 comments

  1. Mary-the boondocks blog says:

    Lucky you Pili to have a flea market nearby. I love the mirror you bought. Pili, that market you went to first is an architectural wonder. It is so big. And It must have everything in there. And the other building with the fancy balcony was also very pretty. I may come and visit y ou just to get the chance to go to the flea market with you.

    • Pili says:

      I know I am lucky, Mary. I don’t know what I would do without flea markets!! I really love we have nice architectural buildings here in Spain.
      You know my house is open for whenever you want to visit me, we would have fun together!!

  2. Keri says:

    Pili, the buildings look so beautiful and picturesque!! I would love, love to go through the flea market!! It looks like there are so many lovely treasures to see and buy! I’m glad you were able to get the mirror at such a great price!! It looks awesome! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!!

    • Pili says:

      Hi, Keri!! After seeing the things you bought and those prices I am not sure if I made a good business lol! But I fell in love with the mirror, so I couldn’t resist!
      I would love to go “shopping” with you too!!

  3. Moira Armitage says:

    Pili, you have shown a side of Mallorca that most people don’t get to see. Love the market. Wish we had one close by. I am like you and love the colours and smells. Visited Zaragoza market last November which was very similar but nowhere near as big. We also have a local flea market every Sunday but haven’t managed to get there yet….one day?

    • Pili says:

      Moira, I am sure that flea market close to you is worth a visit! Even people in the south are so funny with that Andalusian accent.
      I don’t know why I can’t visit your site, I receive a warning… have you changed hosting??

  4. Katrin says:

    How lovely Pili! Again, I don’t know how we haven’t been to Mallorca! The flea market alone makes me want to go right now! I love the mirror you bought and can’t wait to see what you come up with! The Market building is beautiful as well!

    • Pili says:

      I know, Katrin, you have no excuses lol. But don’t come between June and August, it’s crowded with tourists and too hot. We can plan something for Fall…

  5. Marie, The Interior Frugalista says:

    Love the mirror you picked up Pili. Sorry but I couldn’t help noticing the nice body on the dresser…vendor. I can’t see his face but if it matched his body, I would have a hard time resisting that delivery! LOL The flea market looks to be a fabulous one. Looking forward to seeing the makeover you give the mirror.

    • Pili says:

      Hahahaha, Marie, you are too funny!!! I am sorry to disappoint you, but luckily the vendor’s face didn’t match the body. And I say luckily because being my husband out for so long it would have been a temptation lol!

      Thank you so much for the visit!!

  6. Handan says:

    I’ve been in Majorca when I was 9 (My Dad took us on a Mediterranean cruise) and of course being so young I couldn’t appreciate the beauty of the land. But I remember loving the small grocery shops there: My Dad took me to one in down town and all that candy and chocolate bars (which were different to me because of different brand names to what we had in Turkey 😀 ) fascinated me…lol. Thank you for posting this. You are one lucky lady to live in such a beautiful place!!

    • Pili says:

      When kids travel to new places their interests are quite different from ours, so I understand you remember the candies and chocolate bars.
      I don’t think there is a perfect country in the world, but we are happy to be here at the moment, and then, time will tell…

  7. Michelle says:

    Everything is so pretty. I’d get lost for hours just wandering around, so many things to discover. Wow!! The flea market reminds me a little of the African markets we have here in South Africa – hidden treasures buried in organised chaos.

    • Pili says:

      Those little streets in the downtown are great for wandering around, and I always discover something new. I had no idea you were in South Africa, but your definition is exactly what it is, treasures buried in organised chaos!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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