Bazaar mania

These are my Pinoy friends whom I rightly call my bazaar-friends. These are friends back in Los Baños who are now somehow transplanted here in Japan. They have stayed here more than we do, so they know more of the ins and outs here -- especially about upcoming bazaars. Take a look at the large paper bags in the picture, you bet those are nice things bought at the recent bazaar they went to with only about 100yen spent on all those.

While bazaars are not patronized by all Japanese, they are most looked forward to by those who want to buy things at a cheaper price. Sometimes even at a jackpot price, as my friend has coined it, for buying a very-slightly-used kiddie bicycle for her son for zero yen. That's really a WOW.

Bazaars are done mostly for charity purposes, especially those organized by the church. Any proceeds go directly to their chosen/intended recipients. In fact, the annual bazaar in our church is scheduled in the first week of June. Hmm, I need to get ready with my coins. ;) Yeah, you only need coins, for prices are really low. And lots of freebies too!

So far, I have bought so many sari-sari (assorted) things from the bazaars that I happen to go to. Most of my son's toys were bought in the bazaar. Just recently, we bought him a big size of Pooh bear (again???) who now becomes his best buddy, a Sesame Street mini-toy kingdom, and a lego-like shapeblocks (om, what's its name?) I also enjoy buying kitchen wares which are unique only to Japan, and which I intend to display ONLY at my cabinet back home (weird? ah, please don't mind me).

I'd say my money and time are worth the things that I bought from these bazaars. Especially when you are trying to live frugally in an expensive and stlyish city such as Tokyo, bazaars are a good source of stuffs you need for your home -- stuffs which are either slightly used or unused at all. Quality is still valued even in this kind of market, and I assure you, your yen could go a long, long way.

Till next bazaar day!