However, we had fun roaming through the markets. Anyone who wants to stock up on records (remember them!!!) and old books, can find them all over. I did buy a light cotton jacket, with hood, for only 10 E, which i really needed, as my sweater wasn't enough, but adding my fleece jacket was overkill, considering the weather, and I really needed a type of windbreaker.
The flowermarket (bloemenmarket) was wonderful. The first time there, I bought a bag of 50 Acidanthera for only 2.10, and a bag of 10 Queen-of-the-Night "black" tulip bulbs for 3.50. Now 3.50 for 10 bulbs is not really a bargain, but they were a lovely color.
I bought some "bargains" for Odelia...namely the DVD of Titanic (with Hebrew subtitles, would you believe?) which she has wanted for a long time, and a 1000-piece jigsaw of roses. 7 E each. I got a cute t-shirt for dS, which has "Cereal Killer" with a picture of a spoon on it. (He devours cereal, breakfast, noon and night...so it is appropriate and I liked the play on words.) I wanted to get him a Penterra T-shirt...but is was 20 euro (that's 110 shekels!!!!!) No way!!
For the first 6 days, that is, more or less, the total of our purchases.
However, on my final day in Holland, I left dH in the hotel, and went off on my own.
Yo see, dH HATES buying. Not because he is cheap. But because he likes to "live light." It's always...why do you need this? you DON'T need to buy anyone presents, I'll give them cash when I get home, etc. etc. It's an attitude that's hard for me to accept and hard for him to understand that when I am away, I am thinking of my kids and want to get them stuff. But that's how he can spend a whole month in India, and come back with one brass elephant for me as a gift. Sheesh.
Also, dH also doesn't really like "shopping." Most of the time I feel like he is just following me around as I look, instead of me feeling that he is actively interested in looking at stuff. Unless there is a display of tools or lighting stuff, that is.
So you see, not that I am extravagant in any way either, but he really does inhibit me.
So, free as a bird, and with 90E in my pocket, I headed back to the flower market. There I bought a bag of 50 "Rembrandt" tulip bulbs and a package of mixed double hollyhock seeds. I intend to split the bulbs amongst my sister and a friend and me. Also, a sweet "delft" flower pot with 5 tulip bulbs for forcing indoors for Ofra, a kit to grow a Venus flytrap for Odelia. Later, I also bought a "delft" tulip mug for my mom.
At the supermarket, I bought some 70% dark chocolate and some cheese to take home (along with provisions for dinner!)
