C
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
No, they are not the same as Dollar Stores.Hi all,
In the USA we have many cheap Dollar stores in most cities and towns. They go by various similar names..."Dollar General", "Dollar Tree", "Family Dollar" etc.
I've read a number of times on this forum pilgrims referring to cheap "China stores" along the way, where they purchase things they need such as fake crocs, sarongs, knives, corkscrews (wonder why they need one of those) etc.
Well, on my two Camino's I've never noticed any of these stores. Are they only in the bigger cities, off the route? Are they the same as Dollar Stores? I ask because this year I would like to make a few simple and cheap purchases after I arrive and begin walking.
I found one in Burgos. I bought a sink plug so I could do some hand washing in the hotel sink. No proper plug in the hotel washbasin so I got my own. The store was huge, everything cheap just as you'd expect. I never noticed one anywhere else on my CF, but that was the only time I really hunted.Hi all,
In the USA we have many cheap Dollar stores in most cities and towns. They go by various similar names..."Dollar General", "Dollar Tree", "Family Dollar" etc.
I've read a number of times on this forum pilgrims referring to cheap "China stores" along the way, where they purchase things they need such as fake crocs, sarongs, knives, corkscrews (wonder why they need one of those) etc.
Well, on my two Camino's I've never noticed any of these stores. Are they only in the bigger cities, off the route? Are they the same as Dollar Stores? I ask because this year I would like to make a few simple and cheap purchases after I arrive and begin walking.
Wonderful shopsHi all,
In the USA we have many cheap Dollar stores in most cities and towns. They go by various similar names..."Dollar General", "Dollar Tree", "Family Dollar" etc.
I've read a number of times on this forum pilgrims referring to cheap "China stores" along the way, where they purchase things they need such as fake crocs, sarongs, knives, corkscrews (wonder why they need one of those) etc.
Well, on my two Camino's I've never noticed any of these stores. Are they only in the bigger cities, off the route? Are they the same as Dollar Stores? I ask because this year I would like to make a few simple and cheap purchases after I arrive and begin walking.
Thank you, that's very helpful! One question though...do I ask for "the Bazaar" in English, or do I need to learn the Spanish wording to be understood by the locals?Wonderful shops
They sell everything apart from the kitchen sink!
They're called Bazaar shops and as someone mentioned,always run by a Chinese family. Popular shops all over Spain
There's one in Burgos where we bought light fleece tops,hats and gloves one May when it started to snow!
There's one between Leon and virgin del Camino where we once bought walking poles (7euros each and cheaper than putting them into the hold!)
Also one on the way out of Carrion de Los Condes
Just ask the local people for "the Bazaar" and you'll be directed to one .
Sounds like they don't have an official name to look for above the
Thank you, that's very helpful! One question though...do I ask for "the Bazaar" in English, or do I need to learn the Spanish wording to be understood by the locals?
Hi all,
In the USA we have many cheap Dollar stores in most cities and towns. They go by various similar names..."Dollar General", "Dollar Tree", "Family Dollar" etc.
I've read a number of times on this forum pilgrims referring to cheap "China stores" along the way, where they purchase things they need such as fake crocs, sarongs, knives, corkscrews (wonder why they need one of those) etc.
Well, on my two Camino's I've never noticed any of these stores. Are they only in the bigger cities, off the route? Are they the same as Dollar Stores? I ask because this year I would like to make a few simple and cheap purchases after I arrive and begin walking.
That's another benefit of the China stores. They are often open during siesta time!In 2014 I arrived in Najera on a Sunday afternoon and after settling into the albergue myself and another pilgrim went in search of a meal a cold beer and supplies. Nothing was open. Nothing, ha ha. We asked around and were told that the Chinese store back across the river was open. Went there and they had all the food and supplies we needed. Lot's of fruit, bread, snacks, groceries, etc. I think they had cold beer, too. Saved the day. Well, for me anyway. I was starving, ha ha.
That particular albergue experience was one of the times where despite it being in June, one of the more popular months on the CF, there was only two of us in the entire albergue. No other pilgrims came and spent the night. Just goes to show it's impossible to predict how busy the Camino can be.
"Bazaar" or "Chino" although later could also be a supermercado owned by Chinese.Just ask the local people for "the Bazaar" and you'll be directed to one .
They are opened 24/7 in my knowledge (well, not all of them, of course). Also on Camino de Levante for example where there aren't so much of a pilgrim-wise infrastructure.That's another benefit of the China stores. They are often open during siesta time!
The government! African small business is now almost all Chinese. The government promotes retail and service outlets, and Spain is not immune from them.they are supplied by the Chinese mafia, whatever that is.
Look for the stores with a huge array of fake flowers in front. That was a major clue for me.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?