Wednesday, November 13, 2013

What will be in my suitcase when I go back to Mexico

I bought these four black plaques many years ago at a yard sale in Portland. The woman selling them had brought them back from her trip to Vietnam. They are very heavy, inlaid with abalone shells. They are 15 inches wide by 31 inches long. They barely fit into my suitcase and they must weigh about fifteen pounds each. Looks like I won't be bringing back much else and I sure hope they don't want to charge me duty on them in Mexico.

My family never liked them. My son said, "They look like things that hang on Chinese restaurant walls."  My daughter-in-law agreed with him.

But I have always loved them. I am now in the process of trying to wrap them so they won't break on the airplane..... My family gave me permission to have them back.

One lesson I have learned from this experience is, Never give anything to a loved one if you value it far more than the loved one does.....  It isn't appreciated and just gets stuffed in a garage somewhere.

Now that I think about it, I bought them from the son of the woman who brought them from Vietnam. I remember him yelling in the house asking if she would take my lower offer...... (She refused. I bought them at her price because I loved them so much.)  Maybe he didn't like them either. Maybe he had them stored in his garage and was cleaning it out in that sale.  I wonder what the mother thought about bringing them all the way back from Vietnam and then selling them cheaply at a yard sale.

These photos aren't very good but you can see a little bit of what they look like. These are things you either love or hate.  Certainly not typical yard sale items. I am going to hang them up in my pretend kitchen when I get back. If they make it back in good shape.

8 comments:

  1. Hi Patricia -

    It makes me smile - you are so like me - where there's a will there's a way if we love it! I've packed glass frames in my suitcase - I cut a piece of cardboard the size of them and made sure it was between (back and front) each piece and secure. I taped a large note on the inside of the top of my suitcase saying if they (at the airport) opened it and went through it to please pack it securely when they were done so I didn't find broken glass throughout my clothes, and put them in the middle of my bag with clothing under and over. They made it just fine. : )

    I think they'll look great in your kitchen!

    Barbara

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    1. Hi Barbara, I will try doing that too. Also bubble wrap. Glad to hear that glass frames made it through. Thanks for commenting. P

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  2. Pat, how pretty. Children are not always so great. This is only my opinion because I have 2 very ungrateful children But why don't your children send these to you? It appears that they have funds to travel and have you pet sit instead of using a kennel. Hope they pay for your airfare too.

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    1. Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, it would be too difficult for these to be sent to Mexico. I never get mail there because it is too expensive to send it down. And it takes too long..... P

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    2. Hi, Patricia - I have another suggestion. Since they are SO heavy and big, why not just take two this time and then you can see how you like them in your casita. Then, the next time you come to Oregon you can bring the next two home, or if you have decided four is too many, you can sell two on craigslist. Also, it might be safer, just having two at risk of breaking, rather than four.
      Happy travels,
      Pat Y.

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    3. HI Pat, I have considered doing just that. But I don't want to wait another eight months for the other two. if I can't get them in the suitcase, I will do that. P

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  3. Pat, I'm sorry about my comment about children; have the flu, no one to take care of me and my kids don't care about me. I've read about people in Ajijic take care of each other and look forward to my retiring in a few years. Meanwhile, you are a brave and strong woman. Helena

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    1. Hi Helena, I understand. Take care of yourself.... P

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