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!!!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Chickens…and we watch a man buy two of them. Poor things.

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

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!

TIENDA DE ROPA..THAT'S CLOTHING STORE IN SPANISH

Thursday, February 2 – One of our favorite sayings is…When in Rome, do as the Romans. Well, Marsha took it to a whole new height. She and three friends visited a ropa store today. But before the girls could go shopping, they need nourishment, so off to Cheddars for an early lunch.

(Front left-front right) Angie, Carol, Marsha, Jan, Jane


You may ask what is a Ropa…here is your answer…

• Ropa means cloth; all kinds of silk, woolen, or linen, used for domestic purposes; wearing apparel, clothes.

The first visit for the day was Tres Dimesiones.

This ropa is approximately a 70,000 square foot warehouse that sells used clothing by the POUND. Various specific qualities of clothing are available, as well as unsorted clothing by the bail or Monton. There is no minimum purchase amount for the Monton, and Bails range from 900 lbs. to 1300 lbs.

What is a Balis you ask…Bails (pacas) of clothing weigh 1,000 lbs. and more, and are sold for .50 cents a pound

A Mound (Monton) is over 3,750 cubic feet large. 25'x30'x5'.

Keep this all in mind as this story continues. Marsha, Jane and Jan were the "virgins" on this trip. Angie and Caole have visited ropas for many years. Marsha explains that when we entered the building nothing seemed odd.

Then we turned the corner…

What in the world…

Our fearless leaders, Angie and Carole, show us how the experts shop.

Marsha couldn't believe what she was seeing. But in no time was digging in with the rest of them.

In a Ropa, you need to hunt through piles of clothes, all makes, sizes, colors, genders, and styles. You just start pulling clothes out of the piles and see if it is what you are looking for. The clothes come from every store imaginable. They are clothes that were on clearance, discarded or donated.

How are these clothes stored before they arrive to the buyers…on a pallet or Balis.

This is an interesting sign…you best heed the warning too!

 

This is a shot from way up on the top of the mound.

These people hardly moved out of the way when the new load was delivered.

Jane wanted a closer view.

Marsha may have found a keeper.

Here is one for our friends, Ed and Linda. They are huge Boston Red Sox fans.

These people are here for many different reason. Price is the big one, but many of them buy the clothes and then resale them in their own shops or yard sales. This is the only way many of them can afford any clothing at all. This poor little thing feel asleep while mom was shopping. Not the most sanitary place to have the little one sleep.

There is a section in most ropas that have items priced. In this one, a bride can purchase a wedding dress for only $20.00.

Some other items that can be purchased in this section are
Flannel shirts $1 (seasonal), Party Dresses $10, Men's Shoes $2, Men's Sandals $ 1.50, Women's Tennis = $ 3, Kids Shoes = $ 1

When you are ready to leave, you must have your items weighed.

Today our items were $.20/lb. Marsha spent a whole 43 cents on three items. The big spender was Carole. A grand total of $1.78 for her heap.

Just to let everyone know…the girls all wore their oldest clothes and had tons of Purell with them. All in all, Marsha said it was an experience she will never forget. If you are reading this, chances are you do not have to shop this way. At least in this area there are many places for a family to find very, very cheap clothing. Say a little prayer of thanks for that!

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

MOVING DAY

Thursday, February 2 – A little excitement in the neighborhood this morning.

The people across from our site have decided to trade-in their 5th-Wheel and get a mobile home. They will become snowbirds traveling between South Texas in the Winter and their home in Iowa in the summer.

Watching these movers bring in a mobile home on these tight streets is pretty exciting.

The driver wasn't even challenged. One hand on the steering wheel and talking on the phone. I told the onlookers to hand him a beer to make it a little more challenging....LOL

They can park those things on the side of a mountain, so setting it on a concrete pad was child’s play.

Notice all the "helpers."

They had it moved in place in less than 30 minutes and spent the next couple hours strapping it down and putting it up on blocks so they could remove the wheels.

Once level the owner and a couple friends will hook up the plumbing, sewer, and electric and it will be ready to move in. Instant home!!!

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