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SIXTY February 1 - There is a huge second hand clothing industry if you can call it that which exists in all the provinces of the Philippines. It is called Ukay Ukay. For the most part it services the need of the millions of impovished people here who just can't afford the price of new clothing. They usually operate under big tents and the quantity and range of quality is amazing. There is literally something for everyone. The day Lynn told me she was going to look at some stuff at one operating nearby our place I said "hold on, you mean to tell me you would consider waering other peoples clothing". She started laughing and then gave me an education on Ukay Ukay and I am now a big fan.
Ukay Ukay is indeed second hand clothing but it is graded according to quality. Operators buy these clothing in bundles and pay prices according to the quality of the clothes. In many cases the clothes are coming over from the USA that have not been sold by mass merchandisers such as a Walmart, Kmart and other large discounters. Mostly though, it comes from well off people who are tired of the clothes. I never thought with all the poor people in the USA that any of this would end up over here but it does. I have bought some things on occasion from places like the Salvation Army when I lived in Florida but, nothing compares to what goes on over here.
Well to make a long story short Lynn in fact has purchased over the years, many of the clothes she wears from Ukay Ukay. Just recently she bought a bundle of clothers for 1,000 peso or $25.00. Out of this load she found many really nice clothes for herself. The rest she gave to our helper to take home to sell or give away. I haevn't yet taken the plunge but you never know.... Today while driving I passed one of the area bamboo furniture makers. I never noticed it until today but there were a bunch of cribs out front. The cost was only 230P or $5.60 each. Add a foam mattress and wallah, you have a perfectly good crib for a baby. Obviously, this mostly serves the needs of the poor here but I am seriously thinking of getting one for Alex. I mean it really gets you thinking when you go to the department stores and the ones selling there start at like $75.00 and go up into the hundreds. Frankly, they really arent that much better to warrant the price
One of the many things that keeps us same over here is the ability to watch good movies at home. Here in Dumaguete we have one place in particular we go as they always have a good selection of the top movies and TV shows from Hollywood as well as having great customer service.
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