European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 16, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Netherlands ass Effla Lottion a Targer than life wooden Indian watches Over the Flea Market on Amsterdam s Waterloo Tein Flea Market offers treasures a amps Effie Bathen antique Wall tiles come from a  Effie Bathen staff writer a stuffed Alligator was among the first things to catch the Eye. Even at a Flea Market in Amsterdam Netherlands it is hard to ignore a reptile in the Middle of a Plaza Walkway. The  Market adventurer will Likely pause for a moment to think is there some Way to use the spiny Little fellow is there somebody who might deserve his companionship or can you put a Plant in it Flea Market fans Are very creative that Way. When it a comes to turning somebody else s trash into their own unique treasure they Are very optimistic. And the Flea markets of Europe make a great Hunting ground. Alligators aside the Flea Market on the Waterloo Plein offers a charming setting for those who like to dig through old world goods a gorgeous As Well As gruesome. Little Booths fill an a shaped Plaza on the Edge of one of the City s winding canals beneath rows of Peak roofed houses. Quot some of our Best things have wound up in that canal Quot said Hannah von we Ogaarden one of the merchants who deals in the Beautiful goods category in Windy weather outfits have flown into the water and she has had to fish them out. Her Little Corner of the Market is filled with antique dresses. Some Are from theater wardrobes or costume shops. People who buy them Are like her captivated by the Silks and brocade. Her favorite is a Gold lame gown from the 1920s. About 250 guilders about $130j can buy almost any of the other dresses but that one is not for Sale. The dress collector remembered when the Flea Market had four times the space. A modern civic building takes up More than half of that now t Ier husband had a regular Market Booth for 40 years but he s passed on Row the civic addition did not completely discourage antique dress shoppers she said. Some of the people who get married there come to her for antique wedding dresses. A nearby a Booth is filled with reel to reel tape recorders and used stereos. The sounds of violins and basses pour out of tall speakers. The music lands on ears and souls of those who thought they had serious bargain Hunting in mind. Tata Tum. La la la late Tum. The merry violins Are a sudden distraction from Racks of Dusty docks lamps and gadgets of earlier times. Even Eclectic sights like Silver skates on Oriental rugs or wooden shoes and wooden continued on Frage -1 june 76, 1994 stripes Magazine