Loppemarked is the Norwegian word for flea market… all things are preowned and sold for very low prices. Unlike in the Philippines where the owners profit from the purchases, these items are acquired by persons or organizations with charitable causes without paying for them from the owners ,but then are sold at the flea market to raise funds.. for example saving the environment, helping the support for children with drug-user parents, etc. It has a more noble cause, in my honest opinion.

So today, I, myra and Tita Naring went to a nearby Loppemarked, 200 meters away from our house. Loppemarkeds usually open on saturdays 10am to 4 pm and end on sundays 4pm. During the first day, there are many to choose from- furnitures, clothes,shoes, bags, electric appliances, stuff found in the kitchen and dining, etc. Much like of an ukay-ukay. Of course, the prices are somewhat higher on saturday compared to when you buy the items on a sunday, especially when the flea market is nearing to its end… usually 2 hours before closing time. For example, when you buy a set of dish plates, tea plates, cups and bowls that is originally soldat 100 kroner, you can buy them for only 10 kroner once it hits 2 or 3 pm  (flea markets close either 3pm or 4pm). So it’s really wise to go during the last hour but the drawback is that the stuff there had been “pinagpilian” and chances of finding a decent and not so used items are kinda slim.. but sometimes, you can really get lucky. Also, for flea market watchers, there’s an internet site where all scheduled loppemarked all over Norway are posted so you can plan ahead as to where your next bargain hunt would be. It’s not difficult to find the location of flea markets because there are signs on the road on that area that leads you to the venue, so never fear of losing your way!

I am so fascinated because, as you know, I love bargain shopping.. hunting for a nice item at a very  low price. I always get giddy and so bargain-boggarty! haha For those who are kinda grossed out by the thought of using someone else’s junk,, maybe this is not for you.. But for me who is on a really TIGHT bugdet, this is the place to be. Someone’s junk maybe somebody else’s treasure! I got myself 6 winter sweaters and 2 wool bonnets and they are in good condition, mind you.. all 8 items i bought for only 50 kroner.. that is 400pesos. Well in an ukay ukay i suppose that’s a pretty good deal.. Oh i just love shopping!

So after a long wait, i am finally here in Norway! So it’s gonna be a diffirent Bargain Boggart.. the primary reason for that is living in Oslo is expensive… Living in Norway is expensive.. another thing is that choices here is limited.  To exemplify this is that, shops are few and my most favorite expression, ” suot ng isa, suot ng lahat!” It will take months maybe for me to settle down here and begin agian my feat for bargain shopping. Maybe I can do online shopping still and recommend cool sites but the real bargain hunt thrill still remains obscure for now.. I will try my best, dear readers, to satisfy our discount-hungry- shopping appetites and hope that I can still find and do magic- the Bargain Boggart’s way!

As for now, I am planning to show you around Norway… the lifestyle, travel, transportation, culture, food, etc.. It’s exciting to integrate into a society that is totally diffirent from the one I grew up in.. so let the journey begin!