Monday, August 16, 2010

Souvenir Shop

There is an old souvenir shop in the parte vieja of San Sebastian that opened in the 1920's, it is still owned and operated by the original family. I stumbled across this old shop on one of our first visits to San Sebastian and return every summer to pick up treasures for French General. For years, I bought out the hand-painted santos, recuerdos and holy water fonts - but the stock has dried up - no more to be found.
This summer I spent almost a whole week negotiating a sale - seven days trying to convince Anna, the owner's granddaughter (who is older than me) to show me the goods. I'm not sure what part was confusing - the fact that I don't speak Basque, the fact that I want to buy more than one of each item, or the fact that I was willing to get dirty in the pursuit of old stuff - whatever it was - it was a long week of haggling and convincing Anna that I actually prefer to dig in old basements - I like the thrill of the hunt. The first day turned up some beautiful old glass pearls - made in Mallorca in the 1920's - in perfect condition. Anna asked if I would like a dozen - yes please - maybe 100 dozen? The next day, I found boxes of mantilla pins - pins used to keep the mantilla lace in place atop one's head. Boxes and boxes of pins attached to original cards - old stock that hadn't seen the light of day for years. Would I like a couple of cards - or maybe a couple of boxes??
All of this was enough to wear me out - but I continued to go back every day - knowing that eventually something would turn up that would totally surprise me. This morning, as Sofia and I went to pay our bill and call it a day, Anna pulled out a box full of 1930's French celluloid bangles - beautiful, simple and exactly what I was looking for! I asked her how many she had, and in her Basque-Spanish-English indicated that she had hundreds - great - I'll take them all! Hundreds turned out to be 50 - which was still fine by me - I've learned I have to take what I can get at this little souvenir shop - beggars can't be choosers! So, off we went - my boxes full of old trinkets that were made for the tourist to take home - a small piece of Basque history.

10 comments:

kluless said...

Oh my gosh, what a great story and fun adventure! I would love to see the glass pearls and the pins as well. Thank you for sharing!

Floss said...

Incredible! I struggle with this kind of thing in French - can't imagine it in Basque! Your finds sound so exciting.

Robin Thomas said...

And this is why we love you...

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Digging in basements and attics is probably my most favorite thing to do....you just never know what you will discover...love your bangles...
:)

dorylyn thomas said...

I love reading about your treasure hunts! So much fun!!

molly said...

dude, wish i coulda been there too! i thought i was totally done with flea shopping...turns out the fawcet is just on full blast. i dont want to stop!

Michelle Rose Jorgensen said...

Be still my heart! One just can't get enough of that thrill.

We could do some DAMAGE somewhere!

...
"The Other Digger"

mi

Judi Delgado said...

Please come home. You are making me drool with all these descriptions - especially the celluloid bangles. What treasures you've found!! I'm serious. When are you coming home? I pass FG every day...

Anonymous said...

BRAVO! You are the BEST at perseverance! What a treasure trove you will bring home....,hold 3 and think of me, I'll find something worthy..., OXOX, Hussy Hol

Anonymous said...

I love your heart. Have a wonderful time in Minneapolis.