One of my favorite hobbies is to collect vintage toys and movie memorabilia from flea markets all around Europe. Especially from Star Wars, Indiana Jones and super hero movies. I´m also interested in antiques and design in general and my personal collection is quite huge.

Yesterday was just a perfect sunny winter day in capital of Finland, Helsinki. Temperature was 15 celcius degrees below zero and the town was full of cristal clear white snow. It was a good day to visit annual Helsinki Retro & Vintage Design Expo which was arranged in the Old Cable Factory just a few steps from city center.

I took a bus from Viiskulma, Rööperi in southern part of the city and in 10 minutes I was ready to walk in the Old Cable Factory together with hundreds of other vintage and antique collectors. The Old Cable Hall was large as hell. In old days they used to build up under water sea cables etc. in this place so there is a lot of space. And lot of antique dealers.

Almost all of the sellers were professional dealers and this unfortunatelly meant that prices were sky high. I found an old metal toy from 1950´s with original box (Porche), but asking price was 150 euros and the dealer was not ready to bargain a dime. In my travels around the Europe bargaining is just a part of the fun, so this time I have to left the building empty handed.

Helsinki Retro & Vintage Design Expo was a funny way to spend a couple hours of lazy Saturday, but nothing special. Even Fuengirola´s saturday flea market is much more better. It was also a littlebit strange that organiser collects 10 euros entrance fee to this kind of event.

The space in Old Cable Hall was magnificent and it really woke up memories from 1990´s when Helsinki scene used to arrange Rave Parties in this same hall. Also the beer was as cold as cold old days in The Old Cable Hall´s Pub. Nice experience anyways.