Second hand shopping

As you know by now, everything in Switzerland is exorbitantly expensive so it's really a brain twister and matter of natural selection when it comes to shopping. You always shop for what you truly need and not put everything in your cart - which is actually quite good for my minimalistic style of living I've been trying out this past few months. 

But then again, there are those few products you don't need but really hand if you had them. For example, a bowl that I can have my yogurt in everyday. And a small plate that I can put my cheese and fruits on when I have dinner. The answer to those questions came by going to a brocantes or second hand/consignment store. It's kind of like a Goodwill/Salvation Army store but with much better taste! 

I went to Caritas which is a favorite chain amongst newly arrived Geneva residents (like me!). One of the good things about living in a city with many expats is that they leave after a few years so they also leave behind many of their daily furniture and goods. 

毎日生活していると、あると便利だなと思うものも増えてくる。例えば毎日食べるヨーグルト用の入れ物が欲しいな、とか台所から部屋に運ぶトレーがあったらいいなとか。が、物価が高いスイス。そう簡単に手に入るものではないので、市内にある大型リサイクルショップに行ってきました☆

スイスは駐在員が多いので本国に戻る際置いていく日用品も多いのでかなり種類も豊富。特に食器類とティーセットはよだれもの（買えないけど　涙）

If you're looking for kitchen utensils and houseware, this is the place to go. There are the most amazing collection of tea sets (I need to come back for tea set shopping when I move into a real house one day!) and glassware sets. Here are some of things I found, most of them a little bit over a dollar. They would've definitely cost at least thrice more should I have bought it at a normal store. In addition I also got a food tray, basket to store my newspapers, and some jars to store my loose teas.

For people with families and living in larger homes, there's also an abundance of furniture, baby goods, books, and lamps.

今回の戦利品はワイン用のコップ、食器用トレー、新聞入れのバスケットなど。大体100-300円ぐらいなのでリサイクルとはいえかなりお得で高品質♪　家族用の家の家具やベビー用品もかなり豊富なのでおすすめです。

Address: Chemin de la Milice 19, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates
Usually open 10-5pm