It's become one of my favorite ways to remember the places I've traveled to, especially because soccer is such a big part of European culture.
In other ways, shopping here reminds me a lot of home. In Murcia, the city where I'm studying abroad, we have a large shopping center with familiar stores like Nike, Adidas, H&M, and Zara. Interestingly, Zara is a Spanish company, so it's especially common to see its stores throughout Spain. Something that surprised me was the difference in prices. While certain stores and products are cheaper than in the United States, others can actually be more expensive. For example, I've noticed that Nike and Adidas products sometimes cost more here than back home, even at outlet stores!
Fashion is another difference I've noticed. Coming from Oregon, where we're used to plenty of rain and cooler weather, I've had to adjust to Murcia's much warmer climate. Shorts and lighter clothing have become a must for me, especially when walking around the city or attending classes. It's interesting to see how the weather and local environment influence what people wear and how they shop.
Beyond clothing stores and souvenir shops, another important part of shopping here is visiting local markets. Imagine a farmers market back home, but on a completely different level! In larger cities, I've come across markets filled with vendors selling everything from fresh produce and handmade jewelry to woven clothing, blankets, and other unique products. Some are outdoors, with stands lining busy streets and plazas, while others are indoors and offer all kinds of food.
One of my favorite experiences was visiting Mercado Oriental, an Asian food market in Lisbon, Portugal.
