When I was still living in New Jersey, there was a huge Flea Market which visiting relatives and friends insisted on going to. That was my
first encounter with Flea Markets.Back here in Manila, I've discovered quite a few Flea Markets. I've tagged along to the Dapitan Arcade, located at the corner of Kanlaon in Quezon City. Then, there's the Tiendesitas in Pasig, the huge Flea Market at the PICC, the one at St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong, and while driving home, I found a flea market located around the Mandaluyong City Hall in Boni Avenue.
I'm not quite sure if the term "flea market," applies to these bargain bazaars and expos, but judging from the way "flea market" has evolved through the years, from selling purely used and antique, and now including brand new bargain-priced stuff, I'd safely say the places mentioned above resemble a flea market.
Flea market comes from the French "marché aux puces," a name originally given to a market in Paris. The fleas were thought to be in the goods, because they were of the kind to attract vermin. The earliest English use found dates from 1922.
In the U.S. and Canada, people have no qualm shopping at flea markets, bargain basements, and second hand stores. The Filipinos have adopted this habit when the "ukay ukay" stores quickly sprouted throughout the islands.
I don't mind driving and browsing at flea markets because I find items here which are very useful and sometimes not found in regular stores. I'm talking about tools and stuff I can use for do-it-yourself projects. When I was asked to go to the "Noel" sale at the PICC, I found this small vase-like container full of very small screw drivers for 150 pesos.
RIGHT, St. Lawrence in Toronto has a flea market on Sundays.
Back in Toronto during the height of the "Blue Sunday," law when shops, groceries and department stores were closed on Sundays, flea markets used to make a killing. We used to drive as far as Pickering to the east and Mississauga to the west just to shop at flea markets, the only places in addition to drug stores, that were allowed to open on Sundays. We've also made regular trips to the St. Jacob's fresh and flea market in the German-town of Waterloo in Ontario, and of course, to St. Lawrence Market in downtown TO which has a flea market on Sundays, and where my good friend Olga sets up shop.
Yesterday at the "Market Market," I browsed through sections of wood furniture and paintings, and ended up at the Japan store where I purchased cleaning products which I don't find at the regular supermarkets.
These are the things I miss. Good cleaning products, good-quality duct tapes, good, affordable cables and splitters, sturdy bathroom accessories, hanging hooks which don't fall easily, paint brush and odorless paint, dust pan that is levelled to the floor, and a skilled electrician, and car mechanic.
I miss my CAA and Triple A services so much. Last November at the NLEX going to Nueva Ecija, just past the first Petron station and after a hearty brunch at Pan Cake, one of my tires blew out. We drove to the service road, and attempted to change the tire. My brother in law who was in the country for a medical mission crawled under the car in order to secure the jack . Minutes later, an NLEX patrol stopped by and asked if we wanted auto service. I said yes.
The service arrived when we were already tightening the bolts on the spare tire. I asked the two guys how much they'd charge. 800 plus pesos for towing. They do not change tires. I declined, so they called their HQ and said the call was cancelled. So, I asked them to help tighten the bolts. One of the guys obliged and I gave him a tip.
With my CAA, anytime I have a problem - flat tire, keys left inside the car, battery needs charging, etc, I dial and a service truck would arrive, whether you're at home or in the middle of the road, anytime. You just have to have an annual membership, for a measly $70 Canadian yearly. With this membership, you don't have to worry while in Canada and even while travelling across U.S.A.
RIGHT, A great selection of hats at the St. Lawrence Market, for those who fancy hats.
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