What is a rastro?

Surprisingly enough, this is one of those words that doesn't translate properly into English. Properly known as a 'rastrillo' (a word that has fallen out of common use), it is a place where people go to sell and buy items that have but a single thing in common - they are NOT new. In fact, it is against the law to sell things that are new - a law that is regularly flouted. Items legally sold may be divided into domestic cast-offs (familiar to anyone who has visited a UK boot sale), bric-a-brac and (finally) antiques. I could probably write a book about the things to watch out for, but not now!