Thursday, February 9, 2012

BARGAINS AT THE FLEA MARKET

Friday, February 3 – Marsha broke a tooth the other day, so it was off to Progreso, Mexico, today to see the dentist. On her last visit the dentist warned her about two teeth that appeared in poor condition and might need crowns. Well, that warning resulted in a broken tooth and a needed crown. (THERE'S A BLOG TITLE IN THERE SOMEWHERE)

Marsha emailed the dentist and made an appointment for today at 2:00 p.m. We arrived early to walk around town for an hour before her appointment. She needed a root canal as preparation for the crown. While the dentist ground away on her tooth, Paul walked around Progreso and enjoyed people watching and having a margarita at a near-by Mercado. There are plenty of opportunities for both in this small Mexican town!

After a couple hours with Marsha's first of several dentist visits completed, we headed home with a return visit planned for next week. We have a total of three visits required to complete the process, so we'll be back to Progreso several times before leaving the Rio Grande Valley.

Tuesday, February 7 – We have had five days of rain and overcast skies. YUCK! Between the rain drops, we decided it was time to check out the PULGA!!!

sign

signs-2

This is our second winter here at Hidden/Leisure Valley Ranch, and we've always wanted to check out the Pulga, just across Expressway 83, and have never had to opportunity to visit. The Pulga is a flea market. A pretty big on too!

Paul, Angie, Jane
walking

There are several flea markets here in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Last year we went to the biggest called Don West, and we intend to visit it again before leaving the RVG, but today we wanted to check-out this ever-growing Pulga across the expressway.

It is not as nice as Don West. A little lower on the economic “totem pole” as far as flea markets go. There is an outside and an inside area.

Marsha and Jane deciding if they "need" any of these.
marsha

paul

trimmers

stuff

There are plenty of sellers displaying there wares. Quite a few people selling fresh fruit and vegetables.

Cactus is a huge sale in this area. This lady is cleaning them. catcus-lady

Angie buying some chayotes [chah-YOH-teh]. The chayote is native Mexican plant and is a member of the squash family. They were 2 for a $1. Angie said they cost at least $.89 each in the grocery store. We will get to taste it on Friday night as she and Rick are having us over for dinner.

angie

We even picked up a bunch of tiny bananas. Our friend Angie, she's Hispanic, says they are called platanitos (little bananas). They are the  smallest of all bananas, maximum size about 4 inches. They have a thin skin and golden color, and sweet to eat. All for only $1.00.

bananas

This is a first for us….a funeral director advertising at the Pulga. WHAT?

funeral-ad.

As we were leaving, we saw this truck. Guess what it was selling.

guess-what-is-in-here

Chickens…and we watch a man buy two of them. Poor things.guess-what-is-in-here...chi

Another big seller was geese. YES, we said geese. We never know what we will see next.

geese

Marsha found a top she couldn't live without...$4.00. Jane got a deal on a crock pot ($7.00) and grabbed an egg plant on the way to the car. Paul didn't make an economic contribution this time. Maybe next time. It was a fun couple hours enjoyed with friends.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

14 comments:

  1. Too bad about your broken tooth, Marsha. You guys are spending as much time at the dentist as we are!
    We haven't made it to the Mexican flea market yet but friends keep telling us we just have to go. One of these days...

    ReplyDelete
  2. So sorry to hear about the broken tooth and the resulting root canal/crown. At least you were somewhere where you could get to your dentist of choice!

    After all the "stuff" we got rid of, why do we still like to frequent flea markets?!? Oh, I know...you just never know what you'll find that you can't live without. LOL

    Before we got Freeway, someone here at the campground said they got their puppy at the Webster Flea Market. She even came with real fleas! LOL Another good reason we would rather not get a flea market puppy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a fun day. Just think Marsha, soon you will be able to chew ice without being concerned about breaking a tooth!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I look forward to hearing how the chayotes taste. I probably would have bought the baby bananas. I like babies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. so sorry to hear about the tooth...Marsha...wow what a flea market...I'd love to stroll around that area for sure...

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is certainly a colorful flea market. Lots to look at for sure.

    Sorry to hear about your broken tooth Marsha. I bet you'll be glad when that's all fixed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Live geese at a flea market? That's a first for me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You just never know what kind of treasures you might find at flea markets. Sorry about Marsha's tooth but better to get it fixed before the pain starts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Too bad about the broken tooth and the 'root canal' - ouch!

    Gotta love a flea market no matter where it is.

    ReplyDelete
  10. With that kind of weather we may never get to stay in Texas. And that's too bad because we too are rabid flea marketers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hope Marsha's tooth is doing better. Handy that you were so close to the border in order to get the work done nice and cheap. That flea market has items and prices that would almost make you think you were in Mexico! Glad you enjoyed it.

    Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. nothing like a good flea market! It seems we're never in the right place at the right time. That and garage sales!
    Sorry about your tooth, but at least you are close to Mexico to get it fixed cheap!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Paul and Marsha! Thanks for visiting and leaving comments at A Camp Host's Meanderings. I'm in the middle of getting a crown too! And I have another tooth that also requires attention. This is not FUN! But it looks like that flea market was fun! Happy travels to you two. Hope your week is wonderful. Levonne

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love that blog to print idea!!
    Nina

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving us a comment. We enjoy reading them. Have a great day!