Visit the Flea Market on Saturdays
To spend a Saturday morning wondering around the flea market, among a throng of people from many different nationalities, residents or tourists, among the stalls selling all kinds of things such as clothes, furniture, books both new and second hand etc… opens up a world of senses. To stop at any one of the stalls and to observe the unimaginable variety of items for sale – what is this from or what is it used for?... You can always find something which you end up buying, but don’t rush as all prices are negotiable. In the end, the item you have bought is not what you thought it would be, but who cares, the satisfaction is the same.
You have walked beyond the bridge, along the river, close to the Tarafa Mill, and beyond the Azut of the River in front of Casa Aleluya. You have seen antique furniture, or “Singer” sewing machines like your mother or grandmother used to have. You have noticed the murmur of the Chopos leaves among the din.
But have you noticed?
On the other side of the road there is a building with large stone columns painted a reddish colour, it is the Cooperative Winery, and the result of many peoples’ efforts. It is there that a whole year’s work of the grape growers of Jalon transforms into wine or mistela. The grapes from the Lliber Valley become liquors or smooth white wines, or the “Giró” from the Cutas or Pasulas become rosés r the dark grapes of the higher areas of Maserof or Bernia become young reds or reserves.
Dare to enter, other sensations will invade you. The height of the warehouse, the aromas of the wines, the huge deposits or their casks, make you believe you are in another era, with no hurry or worries. Taste the wines or mistelas, if you have any questions just ask about the making of these oils and wines, and where they come from.
As you leave you will understand how in these lands we have joined tradition with technology, the indigenous with the mixed, the Flea Market with the Winery.
And another Saturday rolls on, more sensations await you.
Simeon Albanell
