Tag Archives: flea market

Mar4

Stuck In My Head

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Stuck In My Head

Good afternoon! It’s a balmy 80 degrees headed for a high of 85 degrees today. And I’ve had this song stuck in my head since I got up early this morning. The Lonely Goatherd. It’s from The sound of Music, a delightful musical I see every summer up in the hills at the amphitheater in Leavenworth.

I had planned on walking down to the pharmacy, but we know what Robbie Burns says about plans. So I’ll leave that task for another day. Besides, I have a Bible Study this afternoon and a student coming after that. But I am going to walk down to the chicken rosticeria in a few minutes before it gets too hot.

The above was on Monday. And it’s now Wednesday, Humpday.

Monday night there was a Shelter In Place. No. Not here in Aguascalientes. Not even in Mexico. This one was back in East Wenatchee, Washington in my neighborhood.

Last night was Conversation Club. This is a group I facilitate for adults who want to improve their English skills. We meet at 5 pm Mexican time and are usually done by 6:30 or 7 at the latest. But last night we went for almost 5 hours! It was really amazing and most gratifying for me. Topics of conversation ranged from bereavement to broken bones to health insurance to music to cruising to meditation and more.

My order for capirotada was just confirmed on What’s App. I can’t wait until she brings it on Friday! Up north my favorite bread pudding usually has pecans and a caramel sauce. But down here the Mexican version available during Lent is my favorite.

Tomorrow is Thursday and that means there is a tianguis on my street. I will go in search of pineapple, watermelon and other fruit. And of course I will browse through the clothes, knick-knacks, jewelry and other miscellaneous items.

I registered for another online program with NCW. This one is related to Women’s History Month. And this coming Sunday does mark International Women’s Day.

I’ve been reading about the controversy in Canada right now about changing the clocks in spring and fall. We don’t change the clocks here in Mexico. That makes it less confusing. I hope Canada does away with it too.

How is your humpday going?

Nov13

Tienguis

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Tienguis

One of the things I really enjoy is strolling through the tienguis on my street on Thursdays. Basically this is like a street flea market. It has a real mixture of both new and used items. And of course there is food.

I’ll start with food. This week there were three different areas where food was being cooked. Two of the areas had the usual tacos and tortas. The third one appeared quite popular. I have no idea what it was but it was some deep fried unhealthy looking I’m not sure what. As wonderful as the aroma of meat and onions is, I don’t eat at the tienguis.

But I do pick up my weekly supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition to the usual broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, onions and potatoes, I was excited to find mushrooms. Fruit this week was watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe and apples. And I must admit I buy other fruits and vegetables whose names I don’t know in Spanish or English but I do know how to prepare them.

Now for the non-food items. This is where I really get to practice my Spanish vocabulary. There are always several people selling used tools, cell phones and all types of other technology. One guy had a Dell laptop. He told me it didn’t work but if I went to the plaza de technoligia, he was sure someone there could fix it. A tienguis isn’t where I’d go computer shopping but apparently some people do. I’ll have to check back this week and see if he actually sold it.

Lots of jewelry and toys, new and old. And interesting people to talk to who are selling these items. Of course these items in the used category are often interspersed with tools and books, all laid out on a blanket.

Perfumes, creams and lotions. New and used here too. Housewares including BetterWare. Toiletries and cosmetics. Paper goods. Candy. Furniture. Incense. Wallets. Purses.

And then there are the clothes and shoes. Racks of new and used. Great places to practice asking for sizes and colors. Amazing how a new blouse goes from 150 pesos down to 95 with a teensie bit of negotiation. The sellers expect you to bargain and they’re disappointed if you don’t.

The tienguis is like going to garage sales, except you don’t have to drive around and fight for parking spaces. You just stroll leisurely down the street. Much more convenient.

Nov7

I Live Where???

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I Live Where???

This winter my home base is in Las Flores, Aguascalientes. I discovered this neighborhood last winter and love its proximity to the historical center and several museums, all within walking distance.

The name of my street is Begonias. All the names of the streets are flowers. (Las Flores is Spanish for “flowers.”)

This is a photo of the hotel where I live. You won’t see a Hyatt sign here. It’s an old house that’s been renovated into a hotel. Each room has its own bathroom. Common areas include the kitchen and laundry area.

Raul is the owner and takes good care of his properties. He is currently renovating a house where I first stayed for a week when I arrived. Not only did he move me and my luggage from place to place, but also a fridge and a microwave. I guess you could say that my room has now been transformed into an executive suite. None of the other rooms here have these appliances.

The following photo is the bull ring at the end of my street. It sees a lot of action during the Feria in the spring, but otherwise sits empty.

On my morning walk I encountered this neighbor across the street from my hotel. Cute, isn’t he?

There is no shortage of tiendas (corner stores). These two are at the other end of my street.

Two blocks away is the church I attend. It occupies the main floor of an apartment building.

Today is Thursday which means the tianguis (flea market) occupies a street a block away from where I live.

There is also an abundance of food available in this area, but I will save that as well as some other places in my neighborhood for another blog post.