You might be wondering why I love thrifting or "ukay" so I will share you a little story behind it. It all started when my girlfriend started to bring me every time to "ukay" shops and I will just wander or stand around the corner because I find it so tiring, so hot and humid and quite times the area is a bit smelly. Although, as the time passes by, every time I go with her, my curiosity grew, and I've decided to help her to do "ukay" and surprisingly I find it fun.
It was a rainy afternoon right after my class I immediately went to the IT Park Terminal to see my girlfriend who will be the one to accompany me at Opon Market Lapu Lapu City which is labeled as the Thrift Capital of Cebu. Yes, you clearly read it on my title, it's because everywhere you will roam or walk around you can see "ukay-ukay" or thrift shops. There are also a lot of vendors who sell on the roadside so you will have fun thrifting because there are a lot of variety and different types of clothes, shoes and even blankets. The funniest thing about this experienced was that it was really traffic but we didn't mind that at all moreover, both of us were really not familiar with the city since it was the first time to rode on a bus because we usually traveled through ferry boat. So, we were actually lost, and the fact that we even used Google Maps didn't really helped us at all because we were confused as well. And what we did, we asked around for the correct jeepney.
Finally, fast forward we eventually arrived in our destination but due to trauma we kinda hesitate if that was the right place yet as a traveler you got to have an instinct if you are already in the right place and you will just follow it. At first, we were actually overwhelmed because wherever you turn around there will always be a bunch of "ukay-ukay". Before we start to go on our "ukay" mode we ate first and I tell you their fried chicken and sauce were absolutely delicious. Unfortunately we didn't get to take a picture because it was raining so hard and we were so hungry so as well. After we eat, we finally start to do some thrift hops, in the first store we went, we already found a gem. Then, we went to another store, and to another store again unfortunately, our budget were tight since we were not prepared at all and we were tired as well since we traveled a lot and got lost too.
In the end, we realized to start our very own small business which is to thrift and sell it with a reasonable price depending on its quality and brand on what we thrift. We decided to go back someday, wherein we will have a good amount of budget, and we will not be lost anymore since we already knew what to do and to visit more shops in the future. And on our way home, we decided to ride on the ferry boat instead of jeep and bus because it will take a lot more time. And we end our day with some cold coffee and cake to replenish our energy.
