Memories and golden mirrors.
Whether you like secondhand shopping or not. Sometimes it is rather about the fascination for all the curious, old or weird things you can encounter in secondhand places.
One way of visiting secondhand shops is about buying things cheaper, with better quality and in a more ecological way. But the other side isn’t about buying at all, when I am rich, I am still going to go to secondhand places. Just because it is inspiring me to see all the things I come across.
Maybe thats where chaos is inspiration?
I visited many different secondhand places, shops, flea markets, charity, in different countries and found, that every country has their own culture to it.
While I am not sure what that shows about a country, I find it very interesting. Maybe it is one of those habits people acquire when traveling. Some want to see every museum in every town, some the restaurants, others are interested in the buildings or the people. I even have a friend who wants to see the graveyards in every town she visits…
What about you?
Answering my own question, I am going for the flea market and the secondhand shop, whatever town or country I am in.
Secondhand culture.
Switzerland for example, has a very strong secondhand culture. That might surprise a little, regarding Switzerland’s reputation of being very expensive and full of rich people.
Reputation can be true or wrong, meanwhile the country is expensive, no doubt, there are many ways to get around it. Which one of them are countless flea markets all over the country in summer, and secondhand shops in every town and village all year long.
The secondhand culture even seems to be intense enough for the Swiss to invent their own words for it.
“Brocki” that’s how you call a secondhand shop in Switzerland.
I can’t tell you where the word is coming from. Even in German you wouldn’t be understood if you ask your friend if they want to come to the “Brocki” with you. Maybe it comes from “broke”?
With Switzerland full of those shops, there is a lot to explore.
Especially in the area of Bern they seem to be even more serious about the “Brokis” than in the other regions.
Those impressions I am sharing are from a recent Brocki visit in Bern.
It didn’t even feel like a shop anymore, rather I felt myself wandering through a museum. With the remarkable difference, that I am allowed to touch everything, observe it from all different angles. And could even acquire it, if I wanted to.
A fox is wandering around the ceiling...
…accompanied by a crocodile.
Memories of strangers.
Who were they?
Whats their story?
Turning around, there is a couple dancing while cameras are flying over their heads.
Whiskey?
…have a seat!
In the end I left, not getting any of all those romantic objects. I like to keep my possessions minimal, in my home, there is no space yet for furniture, big chandeliers with golden mirrors and weird old school decorations. I bought some kick ass brand new sailing rain jacket though, pretty useful. And while new it would have cost me 150francs I got it for 20 instead.
Someone wasn't happy...
I leave feeling that I have made a good deal, while lots of inspiration is wandering around in my head.
When the rain comes pouring down, at least I will be dry, walking through mountains and forests, while I dream of a house filled with chandeliers, massive wood tables and golden framed mirrors.
Thank you all for passing by, have a wonderful day!
All photos and words are mine, taken and written by me.