We LOVE a great find. It’s the thrill of the search: the negotiation and
walking away with an object you cherish. There are several flea markets in
Mexico City. We are obsessed with two. Definitely check out La Lagunilla on
Sundays and El Bazar Sabado on Saturdays. Art and antique dealers, along
with serious collectors arrive very early in the morning. By 10:30 AM, the best
items are long gone. This is a competitive wild world. The real gems are not
easy to find amongst an endless array of tchotchkes and trinkets. You must
know what you like and its value. The sellers and dealers always do. You
must move fast. These works of art end up in the best antique stores in La
Zona Rosa, at multiple times the original price, or in the grandest homes and
collections.
This does not mean that these markets cannot just be for the fun of the hunt. You do not need to be in search of that 18th century Santo, or a carved Mayan piece of jade. There is plenty more to choose from. There is the great Guatemalan vintage embroidery dealer, Arturo. You will find him as soon as you enter La Lagunilla, in the first aisle on the right-hand side. He travels monthly to his homeland, to buy embroidered items, stopping in Chiapas and Oaxaca for more. Right across from Arturo is Luis, a mysterious artist whose work is exhibited in galleries and sold on the street. Down the road you will find Juan’s store filled with everything from wrestling masks to pricey antiques. He will not bargain much. Walk around and grab a hot breakfast while being serenaded by the most eclectic music anywhere, from Egyptian/Italian/French Disco Queen Dalida to traditional Mariachi musicians. Or head over to El Bazar Sabado for a plethora of artisanal objects from all over Mexico. Pick up a painted cross or skull, as a souvenir. Try on a shawl from Oaxaca. Slip on a bracelet made in Puebla or a necklace from Jalisco. Just have fun!
