the flea market--border style

This weekend we spent some time at the flea market, that is the Brownsville Flea Market. It is the mother of all flea markets and often causes a traffic jam on the highway for all of the cars exiting and parking. I took along my camera and I thought it might be interesting to give you a glimpse into life & culture of a border town. Realize that "flea market" has a completely different meaning here than it would in New England, say. You're not going to find antique Persian rugs or your Grandmother's china pattern here. But, on the other hand, if you are in the market for a couple of new tires, a bag of oranges, a new bedding plant, and a pit bull, the flea market is your one-stop shopping.

Some of the things you can find at the flea market: white walls, make-up, Avon products, stacks of work pants, cases of Monostat 7 (must have gotten a good deal on that), military gear including knives brought in from Chinatown, 100 limes for $1, fresh seafood, spiro papas (curly fries), religious artifacts, cheap toys, puppies and birds,  seedlings and shrubs, bootleg CDs, buckets of paint, fine jewelry, rebuilt computers, used clothing, delicious aqua fresca, bags of tostadas with chile, raspas (the best snow cones ever), cheesy home decor, unopened McDonald's toys, tamales, tools, turtles, and more junk than you can imagine. And you're going to be there for hours just to glance at it all.

I consider this particular trip a great success. It was overcast so we didn't sweat too much, we enjoyed raspas but managed to keep our shirts clean, and even brought home a few goodies:

Some tissue papers, Mexican playing cards and handmade loteria pieces. Ahhhh, what more could you want that you couldn't find if you looked hard enough? I can't wait to go back...in a few months or so....

Comments

[molly]

What wonderful pictures! I feel like I just went to your border-town flea market. It must be so fun to stroll around and see all the different wild things that are there! You mean, you didn't get a turtle!!??

[kathy]

LOVE those playing cards.

[janet]

I love these flea markets. We used to live in San Jose, CA and they had a big one there even tho' it isn't on the border. We went just for the entertainment of it....the people, the music, all the things to look at, and just the general atmosphere. Your photos took me right back there, and your goodies all look great.

[Darlene Weigle]

A fruit cup looks really good right now...

[MarilynH]

I wanna go!! I am jealous. I would kill to go to ANY flea market!! Glad you had fun!!!