Gaeta Shopping

The shop is lovely. I bought a beautiful leather handbag for $118 euros two weeks ago. Upon my return I found the the inside stitching is already coming apart. I phoned the store and was told that if I send it back perhaps they could repair it. I went to UPS to send it back and was told it would cost over $100 US to ship it! never mind, I'll have it repaired here but I won't buy there again.

What to buy: A superior quality oil, with an good flavour, and fruity and slightly peppery after taste

Derived solely from the Itrana variety of olives, exceptionally low in acidity, in fact far below the1% international standard.

Allan had been searching for leather summer sandals in the Le Marche because that area was known for making shoes. We could not find any. That surprised us because we were on the Adriatic and near summer resorts.

Allan was purchasing these sandals for his boss at the Golf Course back home where he works in the summer. His boss has admired the sandals that Allan purchased the last time we were in Italy in 2003.

When we were walking down the famed Via Indipenza in the newer section of Gaeta, I suggested that we look in the Sabatino Shoe Store because it looked great. He was reluctant because he thought getting sandals in the fall was a losing cause.

Well, wouldn't you know it...Deecat was right. Sabatino did have several beautiful sandals, and in the right size [size 12]!

What to buy: The only problem that we had was deciding which of the beautiful pair of sandals to choose. Allan finally decided, and paid the woman who had been so helpful, patient and kind.
We left Sabatino Shoe Store with smiles on our faces.

The photograph is of Allan walking out of Sabatino with the sandals.

What to pay: Allan purchased very nice sandals for about 80 Euro [which seems quite expensive here in the USA; however, these were the top of the line sandals sold in Italy, and I thought [as did his boss] that it was a fair price for the fine quality.

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2006 UPDATE: We returned to La Cruella in 2006 to purchase a pair of gloves for our daughter Jill. It was quite an experience. The young girl who waited on us was talking on her cell phone. She was upset that we interrupted her conversation. She just wanted us to leave. It was certainly disconcerting. The gloves were very nice, but not because she bothered to help us. How different from nine years ago!

The small shop called La Cruella in the new part of Gaeta Via Indipendenza is a place for everyone.

It has quality leather goods, small items for taking on a plane, expensive items of excellent quality, and various items to buy as souvenirs.

What to buy: We bought leather key chains, and they engraved initials or names on it. I still have the one that I bought in 1997, and it is as good as new and I've used it every day.

We also purchased leather glass cases that were quite unique, leather necklaces, billfolds, and a vest.

Their presentation of the items is really nice. The small items are placed in good quality original (creative) shaped boxes that can be folded to stay together. I kept mine.

What to pay: Items range from $5.00 to $200.00+

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2006 UPDATE: I put the 2006 and 1997 photo together to compare. Click to see the entire photo.

While in %Gaeta for 2 months, I would walk down the steps of our apartment and across the street to the outdoor produce market. I would go there rain or shine.

The man who ran the market was such a wonderful individual. He was patient, kind, witty, & hard working. As the first week of our stay passed, we became more well acquainted, & in his broken English & my broken Italian, we actually communicated.

He always wore a hat, a sweater, & a scarf.
I started to notice that he gave me the best produce, and he also gave me a little extra produce than I requested.

Unlike America, in Italy, the shopkeeper would select the item. You could point to what you wanted, but you did not pick it up; he did.

The produce such as bananas, strawberries, blood oranges, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, & basil were always so fresh & in such good condition. It was a delight to go to market each day to see the smiling produce man in his hat, his sweater, & his scarf!

What to buy: It was a very sad day when, on the final day of our visit, I crossed the street to tell The Produce Man goodbye.

Allan was with me, & he used the Poloroid camera and took two photographs of the produce man and me together.

I kept one, and the produce man kept one. The photograph on this page is that cherished moment when we said farewell.

What to pay: From ten cents to several dollars

Every Wednesday in the new part of Gaeta there is a Flea Market in a huge parking lot.

I think that there are over 100 different "stalls" selling merchandise.

I also think that Allan and I visited all 100 "stalls" when we went to the Flea Market one Wednesday Morning. It was mighty crowded; however, it was orderly. There was no pushing and no rude behavior. Instead, there were smiling sales people, energetic patrons, and an assortment of wares to be purchased.

What to buy: The merchandise includes food, antiques, tools, all kinds of clothing, shoes, underwear, dishes, pots/pans, and an assortment of goods for the home and garden.

What to pay: The items are very inexpensive, and some of the merchants will barter.