Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Saturday 22 June 2013

Medieval

The Medieval Market is being held every Sunday morning throughout this month in the Old Town here in Alicante City. It is set in a more than appropriate surroundings considering the backdrop of old medieval buildings ,crisscross narrow streets and Santa Barbara castle dominating the area from  above on the Benacantil mountain.

 We visited the market last Sunday



If you wish to experiment the feeling of going back in time I do believe this could be it.
I can imagine that a medieval market could have very well been like this. It was crammed into the narrow streets of the Old TOWN area of the city and there were masses of people milling around. You are instantly  assailed with multiple whiffs of heady smells from homemade soap ,candles ,perfumes, barbecued meat,fresh bread,people sweating,perspiring,a variety of animals and some very strong cigar smoke which I managed to evade by darting down a side street. However this was all part of the ambiance of the medieval market and added to the sensation of shopping during medieval times.

A healer's cart.

In all the traders had tried to create an authentic historical atmosphere as they too were dressed up in period costume.There were also several groups of musicians some playing the "gaita" Spanish bagpipes




and others dressed as Moors.

I did manage to get some photos but with the hustle and bustle of the people it was rather difficult.


BUT.......

 I'll not be going again!
That sounds a bit contradictory doesn't it?   I mean considering that I do declare to all and sundry how much I love markets.
Although I LOVE to go to all types of markets ...there are markets and there are markets.
I'm afraid I walked away from this market feeling rather cheated. There were plenty of craft stalls which I enjoyed viewing but the prices were astronomical even the tiniest thing like a keyring. I certainly do not begrudge the artisan or crafter the due reward for their work and their creativity but I assure you the prices were such that I really felt quite annoyed. My irritation grew as I continued on through the market. There were many comments among the public too and the people just weren't buying.
I am wondering if this is due to the organizers of this market perhaps they are charging the traders high prices for their pitch.
Needless to say I also came away empty handed which probably added to my disillusion especially as I liked these....


I am thinking now how can I possibly express my thanks to those bloggers who so kindly commented on my last post and who deciphered straight away that it wasn't just a lack of time moment but also a niggling worry moment about not being able to keep up with the rest of you.
Have you been attending mind reading courses by any chance???
 This is the part of blogging I like so very much and that which stops me from even contemplating the possibility of not continuing.  Thank you!

Amanda :-)






19 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about the high prices, but it must be exciting for a first-timer to see a piece of history recreated. People always ask me if I sell my work and my answer is no..."I'd rather teach you how to do it because you couldn't afford how much it costs me to make." Thank you for the tour, though, XOXO

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  2. Hi Susan

    Many thanks for your comments. It was really great actually like walking back to another time. I'm happy to pay extra for hand-made items because I know myself that its very time-consuming but I'm not happy when the general theme within a market is to charge very high prices. In this case I'd say prices were triple of what you may have been able to find elsewhere. That's too much.

    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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  3. Well it looks good but I agree no one wants to see inflated prices like that! Sometime prices go up if a lot of tourists are there, quick buck and all that! :) x

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    1. I can imagine it would be expensive for the traders to pitch their stalls in that part of the city and being in the centre certainly many more tourists would visit this market. However I feel they are losing out completely if the prices are far beyond peoples means...its ridculous.

      many thanks for your comments

      A xx

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  4. how frustrating is that!!! no good at all!!!!
    xxxxxx Ale

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  5. It looks like a fun event to visit, but not to buy anything, just enjoying the day and the activities.
    Hugs to you and get some rest,
    Meredith

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  6. It must have been fascinating to see Amanda, but I do understand where you are coming from, perhaps they thought they should charge extra because it was a special event but that's stupid because everyone looses out in the end. I won't pay inflated prices either. :)

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    1. Totally agree Linda!

      Many thanks for commenting

      A xx

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  7. Hi Amanda.. I agree with the others.. a great event to visit.. but to buy? Not at those inflated prices, no way!
    Julie x

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  8. I wonder if they shot themselves in the foot by charging so much for their goods? People dont like being ripped off and these days most people are watching the pennies.

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  9. I, too, agree with the other comments. A fun place to visit but maybe not buy anything. That's really too bad for the artisans and the buyers. It does look like fun though.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  10. I would have loved to visit a medieval market!!! But I will agree with you, I always feel cheated when I see the very high prices at various markets and fairs!!!
    Thank you so much for visiting me, especially when you have so many things to do!! I, too, have been very busy...I have been reading many posts from my mobile, on the go, but could not leave any comments! Take your time,Amanda, and try to relax...we will always be around!
    Hugs,
    Marie-Anne

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  11. The market looks wonderful and I would love to visit it. Just a shame about the prices xx

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  12. Almost as if they expected you to pay more for the 'authentic' experience! Which is a pity because if no one much buys anything there won't be another market like this.

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    1. That's a thought Annie...but they were really cutting their own throats because practically no one was buying

      many thanks for your comments

      keep well

      Amanda xx

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  13. What a beautiful market Amanda!!So shame with the prises!!!Thank you for sharing,and for visiting my blog!!Have a lovely Sunday!
    Dimi..

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  14. Good Afternoon Amanda, Firstly Happy Anniversary to you and your husband.
    Secondly, time slips away from us all and remember you are working. We will be here so don't worry.
    It is such a shame that you were not able to buy anything from this market, maybe you are right it is because the stall holders have to pay a high rent, but it is such a shame when you see things you would like to buy.
    The hanging lanterns which you liked, are very similar to the one's my sister in law bought in Turkey and I know she did not pay a huge amount for them. They do look beautiful when lit.
    Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  15. Hello Daphne
    I could see that lamp in the most perfect corner in my house but I refuse to pay out such inflated prices. Its ridiculous really no one was buying the traders were just making it worse for themselves.

    Many thanks for your kind comments...we had a great day :-)

    keep well

    Amanda

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  16. That looks amazing! It is a shame about the silly prices, but still looks a beautiful memory for you. Ah yes, it can be hard keeping up with blogland, but tis all good, everyone is busy and I know when I play catch up I do a lot of flying visits.
    Hugs for you
    XOX

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Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)