the Good and the Bad of TURGUS DAY

I was so excited about going to the Turgus. This wasn't one of the several small daily markets scattered around town. NO...this was the big Mazeikiai Turgus that takes up a couple of city blocks and runs Saturdays and Wednesdays from 5- 2. I had missed it up to now and so was keen to experience this.

I made a plan to meet Cheryl at the gates at 9:30. I was walking over and was going a different way than usual but didn't have to worry if I was going the right way as all I had to do was follow the crowds. Young and old, male and female, walking, on bicycles, in taxis,...... everyone was going the same way.
This is a giant open air market with all sorts of flea market items such as new and used clothing, shoes, furniture, hardware, crafted items and paintings, renovation materials, etc. In addition there were sections displaying fresh flowers, potted plants, fresh vegetables, cooked or baked food items, and separate barns housing smoked and fresh butchered meat. Did you want a fresh chicken or rabbit for dinner? You could have them for pets if you prefer.

We wandered happily for a couple of hours, sampling and buying as we wished. We saw large line ups as some stalls and when we asked found they were preferred for specific foods. Most people were very friendly when we made an attempt to ask about their products. The young girl you see by the meat counter told us that she worked there with her dad and family. We were astonished when she pointed her dad out as a young man whom we would have taken as her brother. He was wielding an axe and chopping up pig heads but was too shy to pose for us.

I am not confident enough in my Lithuanian numbers to haggle with the vendors so for the most part just paid what they asked. We will never know if the prices were inflated for us or not, but I think not for the most part.

We seemed to be there at the busiest time of the day. People were arriving in droves. The amount of goods stacked in each stall was amazing and demonstrated the skill and experience of the vendors to pack and set up in an organized manner for each market day.

The weather was great and I was loving everything!!! I stopped to purchase some waxed beans and Cheryl was at a stall behind me buying berries. We caught up to each other at a nearby vendor where Cheryl started to purchase carrots. But.....no wallet!!!!!! After going through her entire purse we ran back to the last stall where she had purchased the berries. Some of the vendors there seemed not to take an interest or suddenly became less friendly as we pantomimed our predicament and mentioned calling the policija. One woman though showed obvious sympathy for Cheryl and directed us to the administration office. Of course this was futile at this point as someone had skillfully plucked her wallet and it wasn't likely to be easily or readily found. A young worker who was able to interpret for us explained that this type of theft is a common occurrence and care should be taken. She also said that the wallet may eventually show up thrown in a trash can or up on a roof. We left info about how to be reached should they find it and Cheryl headed home to make frantic calls to cancel credit cards, etc.

After an hour or so we headed back to the Turgus as Cheryl wanted to make one last tour around in hopes that we would spot it...she knew the money and cards would be gone but hoped to salvage the personal items in it. This was about 1:30...As you can see in the last photo, the place was already emptying out. There were no customers left and the remaining vendors were busily and efficiently dismantling everything.
By the official 2 oclock closing time they would be long gone.....like Cheryl's wallet!

My feeling about this is that it could and does happen anywhere...I will be back to Turgus on Wednesday and Cheryl has now bought a purse and wallet that will not be as obvious or accessible to the pickpockets.