Whenever Marge and I had the spare time we usually stopped by at Baclaran Church for the Wednesday novena. If Marge not available it's me and C or Maricel. I don't go out alone. I always have chaperone. After the novena, we'll proceed to the hundreds of mini stalls located outside the church. Lovely dress, pants ( brand name or fake which seems to be the real ones because they also look original with just minor faulty stitches that didn't pass the QC or quality control). There are different shirts in assortment of colors and prints. Ready made curtains and upholstery coverings were hanging on the walls of their stalls. There are blankets, mosquito nets, showstopper, chinawares, porcelaines, jugs and jars, ceramic, plastic wares, cutleries made from stainless steel and silver polished wares. Lots of goods made and or imported from Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and where else? Of course from China. Lots of colorful batik clothing and fabric which remains to be my favorite when it comes to textile.
The only good thing while shopping on this open market is you don't have to pay tax. You can even ask for discount at reasonably price. Buyer is almost always right.
In one particular incident while busy browsing that area is something That I wont ever forget. Old people used to warn us that we should be aware of the open market because you might encounter some vendors full of trickery. Those savvy merchants. It is a buyer's beware though. So it's good to be alert and wise. While walking through that area in between those alleys where foot traffic is rampant. Bumped to bumped as in figuratively speaking. people going in and people coming out. There should be a traffic light there. He he he. Yes with thousands of buyers and sellers it is a very hectic, very busy street.
I know we've been forewarned on that area. Beware of snatchers. Beware of pickpockets. So my companion and I holding on our shoulder bags snuggled our bags like a baby. Nervously threading and wading through that narrow path staring at those beautiful beads and suddenly someone just pinned a medallion on my left side of my chest. It was a girl selling religious medal, a baby Jesus and she wants me to buy the relic. I can't say no because it was pinned already on my shirt. Hurriedly paid her and we moved quickly to another stall. There are older people selling plastic shopping bags, necklace made of seashells, plastic hangers, woven hats, peanuts, and a lot more trying to sell us on our way to the place where supposed to go. Then realizing we are being followed by noisy chauvinistic boys laughing gregariously. We heard one of the boys said," ALE, ALE YUNG WALLET MO NALAGLAG!" (Miss, miss your wallet fell on the ground).
Though nervous and frightened we both looked at them and looked at the ground if they are telling the truth.
"AY MALETA PALA ANG LAMAN NG WALLET MO!" (Ooppss, it's luggage inside the wallet) and those nasty boys fled and exit the left side of the road still laughing out loud.
Can't help chuckled. Those nasty beastie boys should be reprimanded. I should sue them.