Treasure Hunting

Glistening ahead, a collection of accessories, shoes, clothes, food, miscellaneous items. The sound of leather boots and high heels contacting the ground echoes throughout the lot. The lot consists of a drab, grey floor speckled with stains and evidence of every shoe and tire, and product that had become acquainted with its surroundings. A three-dollar parking sign rests on the industrial chain fence and a young, lady bundled in a grey sweatshirt collects the money from each passing car shoving it delicately into a collection box. From afar, one observes the clumped dispersion of tarps and tables; all clinging together for support, profit, and hope. Various flags fight for the dominance of the sky and wind, each flaunting its vibrant tones: a Mexican flag waves aggressively, while the Cuban flag plots its comeback and waits for its turn in the wind. The flea market-a hoard of stands and vendors, shoes and purses, jewelry and socks- is an opportunity to taste other culture and practice bargaining.

Spanish is thrust out rapidly of the mouths of the seller and buyer. The chatter of the place is overwhelming: everyone seems to be talking at once in the small vicinity of each other. Gestures are used when the seller cannot speak English and the buyer cannot speak Spanish; the universal movements of the hand eventually help the relationship reach an understanding.

Energetic sale signs leap out at the potential buyers urging them to come into their makeshift store and stumble upon something of interest. As the day carries on, the smiles plastered on retailers’ faces grow weary, but as soon as a sale is made their smiles become vitalized again. Thirsty customers line up for a glass of agua dulce, and restless sellers demand peoples’ attention.

One stand that my friends and I approached sold models of the Eiffel tower. Made of a cheap, silver metal and shaped with a few, fine details, it was sufficient enough to catch the eyes of collectors. The man spoke very little English, but he showed us that this model consisted of three parts. When he completed disassembling the tower, he hid the top portion in his hand, while our curiosity grew exponentially. A minute later, he finally revealed it to us; hidden in the model was a sharp, usable dagger. We nodded with amazement, but abruptly left out of fear.

The stalls are carefully placed to fully utilize the lot. The space in between adjacent stalls is small and narrow, often causing statements like “excuse me” and “sorry, forgive me” as multitudes of people squeeze through to get to their destinations. Some retailers have a tarp to shield them from the rain or sunshine; others merely have a table or blanket lying on the concrete floor with various items scattered across it. Although nice appearances often reap more customers and interest, to flea market shoppers appearance is only a façade that comes in between a good deal. These shoppers have keen eyes, perfect for inspecting the quality of an item. Ingrained in their minds, they have a good knowledge of prices: thriftiness is a part of their lives. Straight fixed eyes and fast paced feet, the movements of the people are like business in New York City.

As the wind blows and the clouds sail by, time escapes into a fourth dimension-one that is almost undetectable to the average, modern shopper. Time is not punctual like in most parts of the US, but rather of a resemblance to Spanish cultures. On a party invitation, the starting time could be seven P.M., but people may start to arrive at ten. Time is flexible there: it works for the people and not against them.

Eventually, even though time is not apparent at the flea market, hunger still implores to be acknowledged. Several foods stands boast bags of crispy Mexican snacks that can be laced in hot sauce for a dollar and fifty cents or for a dollar at one small stand. Children choose their drinks eagerly and bite down on their crunchy snacks. As one approaches the flea market, a white sign publicizing the sale of Chinese food is the most visible advertisement. The Coyote is another food trailer that sells quality Spanish food. Owned by a genuine Mexican family, the business has a red and white simple menu on the left side of the trailer, and in the center sits an array of bottled drinks and snacks. A respectable waiter takes customers’ orders on a white notepad and then, hands it to the cook under the crack of a window. Plastic outdoor tables are cleaned after the departure of each customer, where a napkin dispenser reclines.

The flea market entices collectors, observers, and food enthusiasts; most of all, it gives the society a glimpse of how people shopped prevenient to when Wal-Mart’s, Targets, or K-marts unlocked their doors for prospective buyers. It is an opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, or do a little shopping for one’s self. The major thrill in the style of shopping is finding a good bargain like jeans for three dollars or a pair of sunglass for four. Although looking for a specific item for the lowest price can be tedious, the moment when one locates the “x” on his/her treasure map is enough joy to persist through exhaustion.

--Amy