Shopping at Unexpected Places

On Saturday, I wanted to get out of the apartment while the cleaning lady was here for her weekly visit.  I went shopping for gifts at a couple of stores that you might find out of the ordinary.  The first place was not an usual place to shop, but perhaps a surprise to "gringos" who have not seen this name for decades.

Yes, Woolworth, once the largest "five and dime" store chain in the world, still survives in Mexico.  There are a number of Woolworth Mexicana stores in Mexico City, and from the number of customers I saw in the store, they seem to be doing well.  It isn't quite like the Woolworth I remember as a kid (there's no lunch counter for one thing), but the two-floor store has a wide variety of clothing, household goods and personal grooming items.  

Alejandro's father has a birthday coming up later this month, and I wanted to buy him something separate from the other gifts that I had brought for the family.  In the past I have found official soccer team t-shirts here at a very good price.  I found shirts for two of his favorite teams... Real Madrid and Club America (one of Mexico City's teams).  

I had forgotten to bring a shopping bag with me (many stores no longer have plastic bags for your purchases), so I bought a reusable Woolworth bag.  I'll take that home with me, and I'll see if I get any comments (at least from those who are old enough to remember Woolworth) when I use at the grocery store.

As I meandered my way back to the apartment, I came to a store that I have passed many times in the past.  I have often looked in the store window, and thought that I should stop inside and buy some souvenirs there.  This place will definitely be unexpected to you... it is a store selling custom-made bathroom fixtures.

But in the window there are little figurines made of onyx and marble for sale.  This time I finally went inside and bought several items.