Flea Market Frenzy

A few years ago when we were back in Colorado my Italian wife decided she wanted to see what garage sales are all about.  This is not to be found in Italy, so she was curious.  Upon leaving the first sale, she was hooked and now we MUST go to a few garage sales when back in the states.

You never know what you'll find

The closest thing to a garage sale in Italy is a flea market.  We have been to some good ones and some that seemed a bit "not exactly as expected".   I thought Rome would have a good flea market, but we found it to be rows of stuff made in China, with a few old trinkets that had lost their polish.

Arezzo has a spectacular flea market, and is made up of what seems like professional dealers.  I spotted an actual guillotine for sale, and a huge amount of furniture.  Visit it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrxQIH3w3n4
 
Padova has a large flea market once a month.  It is held in the massive piazza, Prato della Valle, located in the middle of the city.

Boat not included

In Piazzola sul Brenta, which is just outside of Padova, there is, what I would believe, is the largest flea market in northern Italy.  This one is so huge, it took us 3 hours to see most of it, and we are not people who stop at every stall.  Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVcd99sqWZ8

Parma Flea Market:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9LSet9-rR8
 

Some Real Characters 

There is a television show in the United States called American Pickers.  Two guys, Mike and Frank drive through the states searching out barns and garages where people have hoarded old stuff so much that it is piled to the ceiling.  They find old automobiles, machinery, sporting memorabilia, clothing, toys, signs, and display cabinets.  They get to meet some very interesting characters while getting their hands on some quality goods.  Hoarders are a bit different.  You can see a bit of Mike and Frank in Italy by clicking here.......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kriZN3_BmyA

Mike and Frank brought their show to Italy and hunted for old worthwhile items, but they ended up in the hands of professional flea market dealers, and I think they took a bath.  The problem is that Italians have not hoarded old stuff.  Through the years they got rid of worn out items, throwing things into the trash or selling the metal for cash.  Italians don't have garages full of old "anything", there just isn't room to do that here.    The only person I know that could be officially called a hoarder/collector is my dear Italian friend, Bianca.  Bianca has shoes, so many pairs that we joke that she would rival Imelda Marcos of the Philippines.  She takes it well.

Valuable Watercolor on ARS

Maybe you have seen the show Antique Road Show.  Started in 1979, this British made show is very popular elsewhere.  Lines of people bring their collections, antiques, even big furniture to the sponsored event in their town to get an appraisal by Road Show's experts.  The best and most interesting items are filmed for later use.   On every show there is someone who must be living pay check to pay check and brings in some item that grandma or a past relative gave them.  This item is found out to be worth thousands of pounds and is a real shock to the owner.  You will see some tears for sure.  I would be interested to know if they decide to keep the item or sell it off for the cash.  What a dilemma?  You can see a bit of this show by click here.......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9hFLYWb4E0

My last comments of this blog.
I am old enough now to have seen fashion come and go.  tight clothes, loose clothes, high cut pants and too long of cuffs, shorts that are long, and shorts that are short.  Big collars, no collar, ties thin, ties wide, these things change to fit the fashion industry's idea of how to make a profit.  I notice that this year in Italy pants are cut too short so socks and ankles are bare, for instance.  Looks pretty stupid to an old guy like me. 

Check out this hat.  The brim couldn't get any bigger or the lady would tip over and fall.  I am still hoping for the mini skirt to return! 

Metal with plastic

Glasses. A few years ago metal frames were "in", plastic was out.  Now plastic is back, large is back, too.  People who have the need to follow the trend will pay to keep up with fashion. 
I think I should consider buying these just to keep up.

Ciao!