Social Seychelles Jumble Jamboree #3

I’d been sensible – the Jumble Sale wasn’t set to start until 1pm, though the other one and I arrived about 11.30 with our stuff. A couple of guys had already set

Items for sale that have previously had an owner

up and we spread out our paltry offerings that were then dwarfed by the mass of stuff that the boss’ wife had to sell, which was a good thing, the punters came and they went away more than satisfied. I had no intention of buying anything, it being somewhat counter productive as we were meant to be getting rid of stuff, but – of course there was going to be one – the Nature Seychelles stall were selling binoculars. I mean come on, 150SCR a pair and housed in a natty real brown leather bag, what’s a girl to do? I blew our profits there and then. The other one sadly missed the point complaining that the binoculars were foggy – I reminded him we already had a pair anyway. I think I only added to his confusion. I also bought a necklace from one of A’s mates as a keepsake from the island I informed the other one, plunging us into whatever the jumble sale equivalent of negative equity is. A colleague pulled me up for selling free DVD’s for 5SCR – I mean 20p honestly, and anyway I argued, the person will value it more for paying something even it is Conan the Barbarian.

Highlight of the day was seeing the new baby of one of the newbies who was soooo cute though being left literally holding the baby as they packed up I did feel a little self conscious, like do you spend the whole time cooing at the baby or is it okay to stop and ignore it, you can’t constantly talk gibberish can you (some, the other one say, might argue that you can)? I did try to desist, but it felt totally wrong so I showed it my new binocular bag instead. Her, I mean, I showed her the bag. I think she liked it.

Read Full Post »

Shock and awe…perhaps not

The eve of the Jumble Sale and instead of being tucked up with my cocoa, curlers and a good book, the other one and I were out to say goodbye to my ex boss and his family as they took their leave of the island  – so of course one has to put on a good show. The night got off to a rollicking start with the other one with a cob on moaning the whole way there about driving and having to go out, a situation only resolved once a cold Seybrew was shoved into his hand (though I did have in mind other places). There were loads of people there and so I set about mingling, details of which I shan’t bore with you, except to say that I ended up holding two beers on account of over zealous resupply (by others I promise), the student in me finding it an anathema to put one down even when I somehow found myself on the makeshift dance floor, swooping, swirling and gyrating like I really didn’t care (cos I didn’t), stumbling over plastic cups that the crowd of ex work colleagues laughing at me because they thought I was drunk couldn’t actually see, and generally enjoying myself thoroughly. I was merry and unleashed, and you see in Seychelles I’ve done a good impression of pretending not to be. I might actually leave the island and people think I’m boring and hate going out. I might have to explode that myth at our leaving do…

Read Full Post »

Social Seychelles Jumble Jamboree #2

It’s a thorny issue – where in fact does jumble end and tat begin?

Do you include the smart pink pin striped shirt that you’ve kept but not worn as you burnt it with the iron but always thought you’d could salvage it by just trimming it  and re -hemming, haven’t ever done it, but maybe somebody else would? Or is that just trampy?

What about the white shirt that is perfectly fine apart from the yellow stains around the collar and armpits FROM THE DEODORANT?

Slightly grubby tea towels?

Chipped mugs?

Opened, ‘I tried it once but don’t like it’ toiletries?

Any Little Britain DVD?

I’m not for a moment suggesting that I was attempting to saturate the Jumble Sale with all or any of these such things. I’m just putting the issue out there is all.

Read Full Post »

Social Seychelles Jumble Jamboree #1 (admittedly am an alliteration addict)

Who says life isn’t exciting in Seychelles when you have a Jumble Sale to organise? I very nearly didn’t bother, what with having the trifling matter of finding a job and somewhere to live in the UK, but the ex boss’ wife shamed me into action as they were leaving the island too and had lots of things to get rid of. I put a call into the Exiles, Social Seychelles place de jour,  they were free and said why not? Tea and cakes on offer, a veritable smorgasbord of other people’s clutter to sift through and a lone CD that didn’t make it into my CD/DVD box consisting of contemporary jazz classics (there was a Jamie Cullum track on it hence my reluctance) to smooth away the afternoon. I just had to make sure I had enough people selling things and enough people willing to buy. A first stumbling block was what the Creole equivalent of Jumble Sale might be? Bric-a-Brac to Go? Probably not. Knick Knacks for Sale? Unlikely. Yard Sale? Too Yank. Other People’s tat? Too niche. Second Hand Goods? Confusing – does anyone sell first hand stuff?. Stuff for Sale. Doesn’t specify not brand new. Used Goods. Unsavoury.

Things you can buy that other people have bought and found useful but no longer want and now are selling for either  ridiculously high prices mistakenly thinking that the world shares their bad taste or at absurdly low prices hoping that this will entice the world to think that their bad taste is actually good and that they’ve bagged a bargain only for it to sit stuffed at the back of a drawer or wardrobe because no matter how much they say it’s in fashion, leopard print anything is sure to look plain tacky or that kind of thing’. Is far too long.

Read Full Post »