Shopping has always been my nemesis. The idea of trawling round the shops on a Saturday afternoon with the whole world and their prams makes my stomach turn. The minute I step onto foreign soil however this fear would seem to dissipate and I am all too willing to spend hours burrowing through throngs of stalls to find the best souvenirs to bestow on friends and family. Here are my top 5 shopping destinations.
Otavalo, Ecuador is the last word when it comes to shopping in South America. It claims to be the biggest open air market on the continent and it wouldn’t surprise me if this title extended to the world. There is a drawback; it is remarkably difficult to get to considering its infamy. Negotiating buses in Ecuador can be a daunting experience at the best of times; there are decidedly less of the luxury liners that are so common elsewhere and the road to Otavalo is steep, narrow and long. Placed two hours outside the capital Quito it is a destination in itself, but its remote location and lack of activities in the surrounding area means that visiting it on the way to elsewhere is out of the question. The journey is worth it and you are thoroughly rewarded on arrival, stalls boast wares not only from Ecuador but a range of Andean nations so friends and family should not be disappointed with their gifts.
The Northern Quarter in Manchester, England is my northern home, I went to university here so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only can it offer one of the best nights out it also has an exceptional array of boutiques and vintage stores; perfect to perfect your image. My favourite has to be Small Gods, a cavernous space filled to the rafters with second hand items dating from every decade- one thing to remember ‘It’s second hand not vintage’!
If you’re looking for something really special, custom-made is the way to go and South East Asia has tailors on every corner willing to take your measurements and produce a seamlessly finished article in a mere 24 hours. I had a suite made in Thailand in 2006 and it is still in box fresh condition after countless batterings in my washing machine, although Hoi An in Vietnam is more synonymous with this service, anywhere there are tourists there will be tailors.
Porte de Clignancourt, Paris, France is a sprawling mass of paraphernalia from market standards such as knock off designer brands and ‘fell off the back of a lorry’ electronics mixed in with antique brik-a-brak, vintage clothing and furniture.
Marrakesh, Morocco is the stuff of fairytales, the bazaar is a twisted mass of dim, labyrinth like alley ways so entangled that you could spend hours walking in circles without noticing. Sunlight escapes through the rafters in the slatted roof illuminating polished silver lampshades and glittering stained glass ornaments. Everywhere is alive with the buzz of chattered negotiations and in the distance the faint whistle of a snake charmers pipe. Authentic? Perhaps not, but the theatre of the experience is definitely unforgettable.
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