St. Andrews is a small town with permanent residents of only about 17,000. The number multiplies when the university students are in school.
Most of the shops in the Old Town cater to the students, to the villagers, golfers and their companions. I belong to the last group, non-golfer companions. I find so much inner peace just by walking around this town while my husband enjoys playing golf everyday.
St. Andrews is the home of golf. Golfers all over the world come to this town mainly to play on the Old Course Links and to have a photo on the Swilcan Bridge. Tourists add to the vibrancy of the Old Town and more shops and restaurants have opened to service the tourist influx.
Most of the golfers leave their wives behind in Edinburgh or London because they’ll get bored staying for a couple of days in this town.
You can cover the whole town in two hours maybe, but the quaint shops selling souvenir items, home decors, antiques and clothes could make shopping in this little town fun too.
The Old Town has two main commercial streets and a few side streets that have small shops and restaurants. The whole grid where establishments are concentrated is probably 3 short blocks by 3 short blocks.
I’ve found some stores selling interesting pieces. There were things I wanted to buy but shipping to the US would be a big problem and huge expense.
Trying on clothes was too tiring. I felt like a strip teaser, isa-isang huhubarin yung damit. First is my winter Jacket, next is the sweater, then blouse, then thermal number 1, thermal number 2, last is the sando. Okay lang sana akong mag strip tease dahil fantasy ko naman talaga yan, pero dapat maganda ang hitsura pag talup na ako. Kaso, ngek!
To wear them back on is one troublesome chore. Nahingal na ako bago ako matapos. Sando muna, tapos thermal number 2, thermal number 1, blouse, sweater, then the winter jacket. Hayy!
We went inside Carol Miller’s store. She sells house decors and fashion. She has a dog sleeping on the floor beside her desk. She must really like dogs because aside from having her real dog on her side, she also sells dogs made of wood and other materials.
I wanted to buy some furniture pieces but it would be costly and hassle to ship them from St. Andrews to America.
I liked this gray cabinet. This would be perfect for glassware or tea cups.
This turquoise-colored floor mirror is most likely from Asia. It’s so beautiful but too costly to bring home.
My most favorite item in her store is this center table. Its priced at 600 pounds sterling but shipping it to another country could triple the price. Kailangan ko daw ng container. Naku po.
We went back twice to this curio shop. I bought 8 pieces of chicken trimmings, chicken message board, a wooden owl, etc. Little stuff.
I asked the store owner why they have so many chickens, ducks, eggs, etc. She said it’s for the Easter tree. It’s a Scottish tradition pala to have an Easter tree. They hang those cute farm animals on the tree. I am going to follow their tradition. Beginning next Easter even if I don’t live in Scotland, I don’t look like a Scot, I don’t have a Scottish blood, I am going to have an Easter Tree. #dagdagkalatsabahay
I saw some multi-colored dessert bowls made of capiz shells made in the Philippines. #philippineexports
We reached the far end of the commercial strip and saw an art store. The items are made by local artists and from other towns in Scotland.
I spotted a frame with two chickens on cross stitch fabric and applique. Ang ganda. The price is 110 British Pounds no discount and no tax refund. Sigh.
I bought it anyway.
My daughter got some small whisky and gin bottles for pasalubong but when she was paying, the cashier asked for her ID to verify if she’s still a minor. They thought she’s a student at the University of St. Andrews. Uyy kilig naman ang anak ko. It happened several times. People asking her if she’s studying here. I’ve been asked too if I was visiting my son or daughter. At least hindi sinabi na am I visiting my grandchild. Naluha siguro ako.
