The China Stores in Spain are wonderful variety stores run by Asian immigrants. While in the USA, some might bristle at the name, in Spain it is very common to ask "Donde esta la tienda Chino?" It is what the Asians have named their stores.
I would compare the China Stores to Dollar Stores here in the USA. They carry "literally" anything and everything, from electronics to inexpensive clothing to luggage to (you name it). They are your first stop if you need a pair of flip flops, a phone charger, or Tiger Balm for sore muscles. This is also a great place to get a "China Bag" to carry your transport items in if you'd like to wear your backpack and transport items you don't need on the trail.
Nearly every larger village or town or city will have a China Store, but ALL the big cities will have one, including Pamplona, where we begin our Camino.
Things I've purchased here include socks, panties, tee shirts, Tiger Balm, phone charger, clotheslines, tweezers, bandaids, plastic bowls, forks, and China Bags.
Worth poking around in!
Worth poking around in!
