This year again, 2011, I fully participated in the Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag) of the Netherlands for the whole day of 30 April 2011 until I get tired. It was really fun and at the same time, full of benefits. In the morning, from 10:30 to 13:00, we we shopping around in the people’s/villagers' flea market. During the Queen’s Day in the Netherlands, that is every 30 April of each year, people in the country can sell their stuff legally (as long as legal stuff are sold of course) and without being taxed too. It’s really a good thing because most of the business stores were closed (in our area on this day) and regular people just sell what they think they can still sell. Some children are playing musical instruments or singing and they receive some donations/gifts from the passersby. Us, we are the buyers together with many others. Mind you, the selling started very early because in the morning, when I did my run at 7:00, people were already in the streets buying or arranging their products.

See below the documentation of the people’s market (flea market). A lot of people from the nearby area were there...it was so crowded but I found it really fun where everyone was willing to negotiate the price or gain! Cool Dutch stuff! Others are good, others are really lousy: from presentation to buyer service. Well, they are not professional vendors anyway, that's a good way to practice their trader side after all.

Below are some of the items I was able to take home.... Afordable and I do live so near, so why not? I also tried to have discounts and sometimes we succeed, sometimes fail. It was also a practice negotiation technique for me.

This one is a portable chess set with wine apparati inside as well... great for picnic!
Below is what are the contents...

I was also able to bring an art piece, a basketball, an espresso set, and a wooden horse. Most of these items were in original packing where their respective owners do not want them at all, say, a gift you received and did not like.... maybe you can sell? I don't know if that is fair to the giver though...