Glorias Market

Shoppers

Stalls everywhere

After two days of cloudy skies and rain, the sun decided to show its face again. So this morning I decided it was time to head out to buy something. I needed a new pair of shorts so I thought I would go to the famous Glorias market. Glorias market is touted as one of the top ten things to see and do in Barcelona. It is a fleamarket which has all sorts of things for sale. The Spanish name for the market is Encants Vells but it also commonly known as Glorias Market because the fleamarket is located at the metro stop called "Glorias". Right next to the fleamarket is a shopping mall called Glories - which is a modern shopping mall with all the chain stores that are popular in Spain and in Europe as well. So, formal trading right next to informal trading. The fleamarket is open four times a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings. There are hundreds of stalls and tables all over the place with vendors selling their wares - both old and new items. Many of the items are "Made in China" but that does not deter the eager shoppers who are looking for bargains. The shorts I bought are one of these such items - Made in China!! The fleamarket is set among some very old and dilapidated buildings so it often feels like you are looking at junk in a junkyard. The vendors seem to be mainly Moroccans or other North Africans. The things for sale range from new shoes, clothing, fabrics, toys and kitchenware to second hand furniture, clothing, books, tools etc etc. The place is a hive of activity with both locals and tourists (with their cameras strung around their necks). The walkways between the stalls are so full, you are jostled through the walkways by the crowds. There are eager buyers all over the place - looking at, buying and deliberating buying things. There is a good view of the Torre Akbar (Akbar Tower) from the market. Akbar is an extraordinary shaped building of modern design in the city. It is also locally known as the Green Suppository or the Giant Dildo as it looks like those items... It is home to many corporate companies as it is a tall building with many floors. During the day it is green in colour but at night it is lit up and boasts red hues in the dark.

Second hand antiques

Akbar Tower