Padova Shopping

This booth in the daily Padova market is typical of a few others found among the numerous stalls selling their wares. It specializes in spices of all types, and rice with appropriate spices added. They are great for making Risotto.

What to buy: Also found in these stalls are various types of dried beans, and even dehydrated potato flakes sold in bulk (big thing in Italy). I noticed honey, jams, and numerous bottled peppers or figs.

Ida stands guard at the doorway, greeting customers as they enter her shop.

She has been providing her neighbors with fresh roasted coffee beans for 'FIFTY YEARS' at this same location. The stories she could tell, if I understood Italian.

For months Ma Kettle and I had walked past this little shop, and often saw Ida sitting by the door, tirelessly doing what we thought was knitting, but later discovered she was fashioning little bags of product by hand, and placing them in the basket on her lap.

She tends shop with her daughter Sandra, and another young lady who we just found out is her grand daughter Sira. A family run business if I ever saw one.

Everybody has been so accomodating, and have accepted my horrendous attempt at Italian with grace and humour.

Every available bit of space on the counter top is occupied by ancient coffee grinders, antique coffee pots, and accessories for the roasting of coffee beans. I intend to search the net so I may become a bit more knowlegeable regarding her life long trade.

What to buy: Various blends of coffee beans, freshly roasted and ground for each customer.

What to pay: Usual prices for fresh coffee beans.

Ma Kettle and I had been in Italy for over five months, and were missing our regular North American style coffee. For years, we had purchased coffee from the specialty shops in Canada, and had become accustomed to the fuller, more robust roasts that Maxwell House didn't offer.

It wasn't the strength, or the flavour of coffee here, but the method of brewing that we didn't care for.

Italy's espresso we just found too thick, plus we liked 'lingering' over a cup of coffee. This lingering, and inhaling the wonderful aroma is the joy that coffee drinkers in North America have grown to appreciate from this strange brown bean.

We just couldn't get into the fast, almost furious slurping of espresso while standing at the counter in our neighborhood bar.

What to buy: Almost by chance one day, we commented to one another about a shop on Sacro Cuore that was set back from the sidewalk. We had walked past this place countless times, but never really gave it any mind. This day the door was open, and we noticed an elderly lady sitting in a chair beside the entrance.

Feeling a bit adventurous, we wandered over, hoping it was a shop and not a private home. To our surprise, it was a shop, and it sold coffee beans. Almost thinking it was too good to be true, we questioned Sandra Conte, the lady behind the counter, if she had anything besides espresso. She did, and we became the proud owners of a bright yellow bag of an African blend of coffee beans.

Sandra then introduced us to her mother Ida, the lady sitting in the chair, who, with her husband, opened this same shop 'FIFTY' years earlier.

Ida still takes an active part in the business, greeting customers as they enter, while her daughter Sandra answers all questions regarding the blends she offers,. and grinds it to the customers specifications.

What to pay: I purchased two large bags of specialty beans yesterday, and paid 13 euro. Who knows if it is an average price, I do know that we now drink coffee the way we prefer to drink coffee.

Freshly ground, freshly brewed, using the basket from the electric drip machine that we had purchased upon arrival in Italy, but had lasted only two weeks prior to going up in smoke. We have to continually source our filters, and buy everything we can when found. Our method of brewing may not look pretty, but it works.

We were made to feel welcome from the first moment we stepped through the door. We were met with a warm greeting, and an infectious smile.

This family run Tabacchi Shop has been our information source on all matters, from purchasing bus tickets, to offical forms, to lotto tickets, to, well, you name it. Everytime we stop by with another question, we are always treated with respect, even during moments of extreme 'busy' periods. It is always a bit of a chore to deal with non-Italians, but everybody in this shop has been wonderful to us, and takes time to explain everything in great detail.

What to buy: If you require bus tickets, lotto tickets, stamps, candy bars, cigarettes, and Official Stamps for various applications, and so on, this is the place to come.

I admit I am ignorant as to what products are sold in a Tabacchi shop, but know that tobacco products are just a small part of their importance to Italian life.

I will find out more, and provide updates.

What to pay: As far as I can understand, all prices at a Tabacchi Shop are regulated by the government, so service, not price, should determine where you make your purchases.

This is a dry cleaners, who also do alterations. I have been told that only tailor shops do alterations in Italy, and have found it difficult to get my jeans shortened.

Fortunately, I have found this place, and I've already been there twice, for 'shortening' and to repair a rip in my jeans. Great job both times. Reasonable price, two day turnaround, and SHE SPEAKS ENGLISH.

Remember this shop, you never know when you may require her services.

What to pay: I paid 13 euro to get one pair of jeans shortened, and to get another pair of jeans repaired. I thought it was reasonable.

While I was looking at the Olive Oil, I was drawn towards a bottle which had a 'pretty' label, and was the most expensive on the shelf.

When I asked about it, the proprietor shook his head, and instead directed my attention towards this one. Better oil, cheaper price.

You've gotta like this guy!!!

What to buy: When you stop for your Vino, look for a bottle of Antico Orcio "Della Casa" extra virgin Olive Oil, located on the shelf just behind the cash register.

This oil is the nicest I have ever had with my salad. Very, very light, with a slight spicy flavour.

What to pay: 10 euro for 750 ml

The area around the university and the city center have a lot of great shopping oppurtunities. You can buy lots of things from clothing, shoes to electronics. There are also a lot of restaurants too, though a little on the expensive side. This is a very touristy area in Padova (south of the train station).