This is not an expat story, although I am one. Secretly, I despise expats. They remind me of defectors who’ve run into the depths of a jungle, never to return or to be seen again. I am more akin to a sailor dropping her anchor down whenever the coast seems fruitful and the water clear. And so I find myself in Berlin, a city budding with young artists, fresh markets, and abundant vintage opportunities.
Oh the markets: never before have I seen such a multitude of markets. There are fancy ones with cherry picked vintage items and organic fare, antiquities markets with funky retro lights and turn of the century goods, and rummage galore bric-à-bracs one must spend hours to rifle through. Me, I relish in the challenge of the shabby ones, the ones with raggedy cardboard boxes stuffed to the brim with precious doodads. Perhaps I’m more than a sailor, but instead a pirate — with a knack for treasures.
Kreuzberg is a colorful and diverse district in Berlin where an international crowd merges with Turkish and German locals. Every Tuesday is market day along the southern side of the Maybachufer canal, an excellent fresh market with organic vegetables, fish, meat, turkish spreads, olives, raw cheese — just about anything the heart (or stomach) desires. It takes a good hour to navigate through the narrow and crowded passages. Turkish vendors shout loudly as you walk through, and people cluster tightly where there are deals to be made like it’s Wall Street. It’s exciting and one of the things I look forward to every week.
The rest of the week I’m busy working on my Etsy shop, leolucaescobar, the store where I put all the cool things I find. On Saturday, the real work begins, as the bigger clothing markets are on the weekends and I spend hours visiting the different ones in the city.
This is me amid a sea of vintage.
It’s a hard job, bartering in German. I sometimes get my numbers mixed up. I work my way through, choosing items that catch my eye and charm me. I try not so much to follow trends but to find items that fit well, look comfortable and that contain a certain quirkiness. By the time I’m done, I’m usually up to my head in bags of clothes and heavy shoes. Sometimes I get really anxious beforehand; I can’t help but imagine other people taking away a piece of clothing that I might never get to see. But when I get home and rummage through my bags I’m in wonderment at the treasures I find.
So you see, how could I not love Berlin? It satisfies my two biggest needs: good food and good vintage. I feel really fortunate to be able to live somewhere where I can buy fresh food within walking distance and have so many options for when I need to go vintage diving. I’ve set my anchor down for now. Just don’t call me an expat.
All photos by Mariel Lohninger.
For more interesting places, check out the other posts in our Etsy World Tour series. Also check out leolucaescobar‘s German and vintage picks below!
26 comments
Sign in to add your ownshopgoodgrace says:
Great article! I've been a fan of leolucaescobar since she started selling on Etsy. :) What's not to love? Beautiful vintage, lovely photo's and a gorgeous gal. Thank you for sharing ~ your life sounds like a wonderful adventure!
3 years ago
dogties says:
Looks like fun. Thanks for sharing.
3 years ago
brownbunnybyiris says:
It's like I'm following you looking for treasures. Great article about your work/life. What a cool place for vintage! You are a very talented finder of all this great pieces. Fun reading it!
3 years ago
GreenMamba says:
Loved reading your article! You have a wonderful, engaging way with words. Makes me want to weigh anchor and head for parts unknown . . .
3 years ago
AchAchLiebling says:
Your article brought back vivid memories of Berlin. Oh, how I love and miss it!
3 years ago
leolucaescobar says:
Come back! We'll go shopping together!
3 years ago
BlackStar says:
Great article! It sounds like so much fun.
3 years ago
VezaVe says:
Hi,Europe! I like to do the same, only in USA! And you are awesome Person!
3 years ago
RokuStationery says:
What a beautifully written article! The markets look really fun there!
3 years ago
jgoddard18 says:
i love love love leoluca! so nice to see this article -- it's fun to see behind the scenes. now i'm off to her shop (for the millionth time today:) joannaxo
3 years ago
CrotchStitch says:
Great article!! Very interesting to read and makes me homesick for the UK. I'm an ex-p.....errrr Pirate too!! Arrrr! :)
3 years ago
TwitchyRedMini says:
Yeah!!!! I have family in Italy and would love to live in Europe and go to the markets like you!! They are my favorite part of visiting!!!
3 years ago
leolucaescobar says:
Could I "clear the air" a bit on this article? It's been brought to my attention that some may be offended by what I've said about "expatriates". I hope anyone who reads this understands my beef is with the word and how I don't find the definition fitting- and not with actual expats. Gracias.
3 years ago
cloud9designstudio says:
great article. i love your writing style and shop! i myself am a vintage, treasure-seeker. isn't it just so much fun?!!!
3 years ago
waisze says:
Great article, nicely written. I think it's awesome that you're in a new land, buying vintage and sharing it with the rest of the world!
3 years ago
vintageitville says:
Nice to read and see how someone else searches for the vintage treasure. One reason why I love my little city too :)
3 years ago
santokivintage says:
Nice to see an article on a vintage seller! The photos are superb, too (as always).
3 years ago
natalielowboudoir says:
I think i've just fallen in love with Berlin just by reading your story! food and clothes, my very two passions also :)
3 years ago
fallinginswirls says:
hope to bump into you sometime at the mauerpark or arkona or boxhagener market. i will say hallo while wearing your shirt hopefully :)
3 years ago
meeabee says:
:( I'm a kind of expat! I don't see myself as an expat really either. Although I have lived in Japan for twelve years and will likely stay here forever. I'm not sure how to define myself since I don't consider myself an immigrant either. A global citizen? Your shop is great.
3 years ago
TresChicVintage says:
I loved the article and I love the store! Thank you for sharing!
3 years ago
RedPrairiePress says:
Wow. wish Baltimore had markets like this.
3 years ago
dearraindrop says:
i love leolucaescobar ! :)
3 years ago
Punkv0uge says:
You rock!
3 years ago
VonlenskaVintage says:
<3
2 years ago
jagodaerceg555 says:
<3 <3 <3 lovely
2 years ago