Shopping and Other Fairy Tales

When Shrek and Donkey arrive in Duloc for the first time it initially appears deserted. It looks beautiful, perfect perhaps, but it seems completely empty of life.

That’s how Città Sant’Angelo Village felt like when I paid a visit on a very damp, midweek morning in October.

We parked in the very large, but very far from full car park, and made our way to the “main street”, which was empty.

In Duloc, Shrek soon discovers that there’s a tournament going on and that’s where Lord Farquaad and the rest of his subjects are based.

In Città Sant’Angelo Village there was no tournament, only shops without customers!

Città Sant’Angelo Village should not be confused with Città Sant’Angelo, the nearby town of similar name that is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Don’t take my word for this, you can check out the lists on the I borghi più belli d’Italia site.

I know, your favourite town isn’t mentioned, neither is mine, but Città Sant’Angelo is and that must count for something.

But Città Sant’Angelo Village is a bit different. It lies very close to the A14 Città Sant’Angelo exit near Pescara and is a purpose build Outlet Shopping Centre. It’s populated with big name stores selling last season’s lines at knock down prices.

I don’t usually go out of my way to head to a shopping mall but as Abruzzo was covered in a thick grey blanket of wet mist and we’d never been there before we thought we’d take a look.

It should work, close to a motorway, big names, reduced by 30% to 50%, spacious stores, loads of car parking space.

I think we got there around 11:30 and while I didn’t expect it to be thronged I thought that since the weather was not ideal for being out and about sightseeing or harvesting olives there would be a few hundred people there at least. I think the staff of the shops outnumbered the potential clients by 5 to 1.

I’m going to assume it was an off day – that happens – but I really don’t see how a place like Città Sant’Angelo Village can survive with that level of interest.

I had a coffee, almost bought a jumper and P bought something for €10 – we didn’t pay anybody’s wages that day.

Oddly enough since I’m not a fan of shopping malls or shopping centres I found wandering around a fairy-tale shopping village without being jostled by crowds quite relaxing.

They even had gentle soothing music-like stuff playing in the background.

I think if it had a book/DVD/computer/camera/Hi-Fi/gadget shop I might not have wandered so aimlessly.

Or maybe a tournament.

Heigh-ho.

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