European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 9, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Ellen Futterman St. Louis Post dispatch London is Many things. Cheap is not one of them. Since my first visit in 1977 Ive been overwhelmed each time i return at How prices have gone up food hotels transportation. Even theater tickets once considered the cultural bargain Are closing in on their Broadway cousins. Yet something about London keeps me coming Back. Maybe it has to do with feeling like Krystle Carrington of dynasty every time i climb into one of those big Black taxis. Or satisfying my Chicken Tikka cravings Given the swell of Indian restaurants. Or the Way everyone talks a even two bit hoodlums cruising Claphan sound of so refined. And the shopping. For someone who enjoys this activity a and was blessed with some Fine genes for it a London provides Many memorable moments. It boasts of great markets one of a kind boutiques and Homegrown retail stores that raise serious thoughts about franchising. Let s Start with the markets. The covent Carden Market at the Piazza and St. Martins in the Field Market on the Corner of Trafalgar Square Are open monday through saturday from roughly 10 . To 6 . Both Are compact though lots of decent buys Are crammed into these outdoor markets. They include jewelry handmade clothing hats silk screened to shirts crafts and Art pieces. The sweater lady at covent Carden knits Bulky oversized sweaters in colourful Rainbow yarns not like your grandmother s handmade afghans that sell for j.140. They re fabulous and last forever. Many of the vendors at both markets take credit cards. The Kensington High Street Market and the Chelsea Market on Kings Road feature secondhand and new clothes that look Vintage As Well As jewelry crafts and dozens of other Odds and ends. These indoor markets brim with values provided you re willing to wind through the Maze of seemingly endless stalls. 1. Of course nothing beats the Best of All the sprawling Camden markets that run from Camden High Street to Chalk farm Road and then some get off at the Camden town tube Stop sunday is the Best Day for this weekend Market area plan on spending several hours Here. The Camden markets offer not Only some great buys but also great people watching. This is major Boho territory expect the unexpected. Just about everything you can think of is for Sale crushed velvet tits fringed leather jackets mood rings hand painted ties purple combat boots skin tight Patent leather min dresses. Literally hundreds of stalls pack the area. While vendors claim their prices Are firm try haggling. Few take credit cards so bring Cash a Money Exchange places abound but offer Lousy rates. Come hungry too because the Street food is wonderful most of it ethnic dishes from couscous to French crepes filled with bananas and or hot fudge. The Camden markets have become so popular that they they now throb with people. So while you re losing your willpower be careful not to lose your Wallet. You la need it when you move from the markets to London s shops. Before we go any further let me explain. When discussing shopping in London 1 am not referring to harrods Harvey Nichols Fortnum amp Mason or the like. Even in january and july when the sales kick in the merchandise at those stores tends to be priced Way beyond my splurge limit. A no the shopping i m talking about is the result of nearly two decades of searching for affordable Street fashion in a City where some argue it no longer exists. Hogwash mates. Obviously they Don t know where to look. Let s Start with a stroll Down Oxford