Costa Brava Market Scene

(Successful) private swaps through the official Postcrossing sites have become such a rarity for me...but every now and then there is a swapper that brightens up your day - thank you Dolores :)

German Xmas Markets

A tiny bit late with this one...though some of the markets last well into the new year. I have missed these two examples of the well-known 'Adventmarkt' by days last year in November...this year I was near Munich when the season started and have visited a nice example in a lovely Bavarian town of Landshut. A curious info: this years top-destination for a xmas market in Europe is Zagreb, so I went, and had a great few days :)

Market In Haiti

I have received this card 4 years ago, no idea why it took me this long to post..!It is my first, and remains to be my only postcard from Haiti. The market includes a LOT of donkeys. It is situated on Île de la Gonâve, located west-northwest of Port-au-Prince in the Gulf of Gonâve. It is the largest of the Hispaniolan satellite islands.

I was lucky to be in contact with Shallale, whom I thank so much :)

Not sure if a stamp was applied or not, if it was it was removed prior to 'cancelling'.

Market in Guadeloupe

I am loving the market scenes more and more...and this one may very well be my favourite :) Many thanks to Olga for this swap :) I find the stamp farthest on the right curious - with the expression Être serrés comme des sardines which means 'being packed together like sardines' i.e. in a very small space, and the appropriate illustration...I just wonder what is the inspiration to put this on a stamp..:)

Salamanca Market, Tasmania

Lets continue with the veggies! Salamanca Market is a street market in Tasmania's capital Hobart, a major tourist attraction open on Saturdays. It has grown from 12 stalls in 1972 to 300 in 2010. I've missed it when I was there...thank you Irene :)

Fruit Market In Marrakech, Morocco

Mmmm I simply love olives (and I must have said that a hundred times hehh forgive me), this is sort of like a paradise..! Ok those on the left are not huge yellow olives but lemons :)

The round stamp was issued in 2011 regarding the Solidarity Week.

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Santa Ana De Los Ríos De Cuenca, Ecuador

Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca is set in a valley surrounded by the Andean mountains in the south of Ecuador. This inland colonial town (entroterra ), now the country's third city, was founded in 1557 on the rigorous planning guidelines issued 30 years earlier by the Spanish king Charles V. Cuenca's architecture, much of which dates from the 18th century, was 'modernized' in the economic prosperity of the 19th century as the city became a major exporter of quinine, straw hats and other products.

The 1st postcard was sent two and a half years ago, the 2nd just a few months ago - I have both times enjoyed my visit to this quaint and beautiful town. The unique blue domes are of the New Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción) built in the 19th century in Neo-Gothic style. Then you have one of the stands at the crafts' market, selling wooden utensils. The best thing to buy in Cuenca though would be one of the famous Panama/Montecristi hats :)

Isle Of Spice - Grenada

And Ashley strikes again, lucky me! I'd have such huge 'holes' in Africa and Caribbean departments if it wasn't for him...I have swapped for Grenadian postcard some years ago but never received anything...and now these riches, maps and views, and great stamps!!
Grenada is an island country consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. It is also known as the "Island of Spice" because of the production of nutmeg and mace crops of which Grenada is one of the world's largest exporters.

UNESCO - Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakech was my 1st and last stop on my journey last winter - when I came there it was such an attack on my senses, it felt like too much! When I came back, it felt cosy and homely :) I got used to the culture and decided to enjoy its unique aspects.

It is also known as the "Ochre City", with a population of over a million inhabitants -  its the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history. Medina is a city section found in many North African cities which is typically walled, contains many narrow and maze-like streets, and traditional Berber market (souk). The first photo shows the renowned Jemaa el-Fnaa square, one of the busiest in whole of Africa and even the world.