"We're happy to come for one more day, but it's not the same as Sunday, no, not by a long shot. I think many people still haven't found out that we were opening today. I hope more people come on the remaining Saturdays," Mohammed said as he placed clothes on the racks at his stall. Indeed, many of the people walking through the Expo's South Parking area had come across the Rastro by chance. "I didn't know they were setting it up, and I saw it while I was walking around here, so I decided to come over," Pilar said as she looked at a sweater alongside her husband.
The Rastro opened today at the Expo's South Parking area. Photo: Aragón Press
There were differing opinions among the vendors. "We're very happy and things are flowing, to be honest. The morning has gradually picked up, and we think it's very good to be here on Saturdays. We'll see how the other three days go, but I think Saturday is better than Wednesday," Estrella said at her stall. A few meters away, other vendors felt that the day had not "turned out well" and that most regular customers had not "found out" because there had not been "enough publicity."
In any case, among those searching through the stalls and treating themselves to the occasional purchase, having Saturday as an option to visit the Rastro was good news. "I think it's great because I don't usually go out on Sundays. I stay home to rest, so being given the chance to come here is very good," Loli said. Others, although supportive of the pilot scheme, were unsure whether it would become a permanent fixture in the city.
"I think it will take people a little while because the Rastro has always been on Sundays. Wednesdays too, it's true... but above all Sundays. I think it's very good that they've introduced it, but I don't know whether that many people will come," said Mari Carmen, who had come "specifically" to buy some sheets and curtains.
NEXT SATURDAY OPENING DATES
Although this Saturday was the first opening, the pilot scheme also includes the following three Saturdays. Zaragoza residents will therefore be able to visit the Expo's South Parking area to shop on October 31 and November 7 and 14. After that, the city council will assess the response from shoppers and vendors to determine whether adding a third day to the opening calendar is viable.
