Today's goal was to find the Marché aux Puces at the Port de Clignancourt. My roommates and I had originally intended to wake early and set out before 9h00 as the tour books all suggest but noon came before any of really managed to wake.
Before the flea market there stands another marché where vendors sell nothing but clothing and accessories and men stand on the outskirts of this with various designer-name bags, watches, belts, and scarves and approach anyone who dares to even glance at them in passing.
This first marché ended up being more enjoyable than the flea market - we spent nearly 2 hours wandering and looking at all the things. I had to tell myself to walk away from a gorgeous 100euro handmade leather bag and ended up buying only a gift for someone and a 10euro piece of luggage for my trip back since I'm not sure my suitcase as it is now will pass the weight limit.
But oh how enjoyable it was to be in a Parisian market, so much bigger and grander than those of Nantes, but still it had the same energy. I love markets for this reason: it's the only place where I feel that I really get to know the city past the monuments, past the souvenirs that come in their plastic bags.
Before the flea market there stands another marché where vendors sell nothing but clothing and accessories and men stand on the outskirts of this with various designer-name bags, watches, belts, and scarves and approach anyone who dares to even glance at them in passing.
This first marché ended up being more enjoyable than the flea market - we spent nearly 2 hours wandering and looking at all the things. I had to tell myself to walk away from a gorgeous 100euro handmade leather bag and ended up buying only a gift for someone and a 10euro piece of luggage for my trip back since I'm not sure my suitcase as it is now will pass the weight limit.
But oh how enjoyable it was to be in a Parisian market, so much bigger and grander than those of Nantes, but still it had the same energy. I love markets for this reason: it's the only place where I feel that I really get to know the city past the monuments, past the souvenirs that come in their plastic bags.
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