In norf London I paid 75p (1.65CDN) for two bananas yesterday at a little convenience / corner shop. I thought that was a bit outrageous, I think I used to pay 25p each before and I guess in the last few months banana prices have inflated?!
At the market in Walthamstow in East London you can get bowls of fruit for 1pound (2.20CDN)which gives you a fair bit. The market was filled with people last Saturday and is one of the longest in Europe. You can get everything you can imagine there for such dirt cheap prices and along side the market there are massive pound shops where you can also buy anything for a pound -it is baffling. This is where you need to rent a car and go to the market for a big shop and store it in your 10cm x 10 cm fridge and miniature storage closet :)
Most people don't have those big 'American' fridges over here. My sis and I laughed at two British designers who were on one of the home shows a few weeks ago, they walked into a home and were amazed at the enormous 'American' fridge.
London is a very expensive city and I was just reading in the London paper about a city broker who was also complaining that things were getting too expensive. And city brokers are doing fairly well in London earning anywhere from 20-200K in bonuses alone. So if he was complaining what are the rest of us doing. He even wrote in his article what I always think, 'How are the average workers, students, seniors and others in lower income brackets making ends meet?'
Check out Walthamstow on the weekend as the market is full of character, bargains, gadgets and stuff that you never knew existed and could buy for a pound.
Princess K is queen of the markets and should give guided tours -if you are interested I can connect you with the Walthamstow resident.
This is what Wikipedia says about the market,
'Walthamstow Market is the longest (though not the largest) daily open market in Europe, stretching for around a mile (1.2 km). Started in 1885, it has over 500 stalls.
The market near the town square has kept a traditional cockney feel whilst absorbing influences from the diverse cultures of the area. Stalls and shops on the market sell goods such as south Asian foods and Caribbean music alongside one of London's most famous pie and mash outlets, L. Manze, which opened in 1929.
The traditional market, which is lined with small shops, is always lively. The market, offers fruit and vegetables, cheap clothing, leather, fabrics, and household goods'
1 comment:
If you live locally and have a large extended family as I do (I know it's hard to believe a princess can live in the Stow, but I like to hold on to my roots!), a Saturday morning market trip is an absolute must! Yes, everything is a pound a bowl and as it's such a diverse community we need food from all over too, so you can even get the more exotic fruit & veg at dirt cheap prices.
My only advice would be to get up nice and early to avoid the crowds and have the shower when you get back as the whole bargain experience leaves you feeling cheap and dirty! Hey, but at least you wasn't ripped off and have a healthy diet to look forward to in the coming week!
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