Flea Market of Idea

 
By Julia Carreon-Lagoc
November 1, 2018
 


How can a minutest, bothersome insect be of benefit to society? Only when we speak in metaphors.

BTW (to use the abbreviated lingo of the Internet, alright, by the way), “a flea (order Siphonaptera), any of a group of bloodsucking insects that are important carriers of disease and can be serious pests. Fleas are parasites that live on the exterior of the host.” Read more from Wikipedia if you want your pet dog rid of fleas.

October 6, 2018, a week before I left Uncle Sam country for my beloved Inang Bayan, I and my daughter Rose Penelope and her husband Timothy were a threesome. We attended the Fall Festival & Flea Market in Redding (California). The announcement was huge and very inviting: “Hitch up your wagon and head on over to Trends for our Annual Fall Festival and Vintage Flea Market! Live music, food, over 40+ outside vendors & raffles. New goods and products inside the store as well! Mark your calendar and bring your family and friends! You won't want to miss this fun one day event!”

Eventually, what came up to my mind is Ukay-Ukay, our beloved version of America’s flea market, Ukay-Ukay in Iloilo’s Supermarket where I had bought some items myself. Thus, it was in my native town Oton. Every Monday is Oton’s market day where one can have fun delving into useful household items and hefty mounds of cheap wearable clothing. I sing Alleluia! because flea markets and ukay-ukay are good for the environment. Remember —reduce, re-use, recycle for the sake of Mother Earth.

A long intro, dear reader, before I go to the “meat of the matter”—flea market of ideas—the title of this column. Enrich your flea market. BTW, this octogenarian was an activist in her (yes, mine) hey-days. Rising from the depths of memory was the D-G, short for Discussion Group. We held D-G’s wherever and whenever time permitted — tackling our country’s state of affairs, the problematic why and the solutions thereof.

Youngsters and oldsters, octogenarian like me or even centenarians —hey, regardless of age— could indulge themselves in a flea market of ideas, a group actively intermingling their thoughts with the viewpoints of fellow human beings—far from what the Internet can offer. Forget the keyboard. Smile, laugh, dream with the fellow by your side.

Be alert. Alive! Awake! Active!