In Need of a Suitcase

I know somebody knows the answer to this. I am looking to pick up a suitcase to check through as my wife has bought so many things that our two check through suitcases are not going to handle it? She was like a kid in a candy shop when we went to the Tonala Tianguis. LOL

Also in need of bubble wrap and packaging tape.

RoyD

Try "Kinda Bazaar and Kinda Not" in Riberas next to El Huerto Cafe. Not open on the weekends.

"86 Hidalgo, In Riberas on the Carretera. Phone 332 267 3455 or in an emergency, cell 322 429 3762
Open Tuesday to Friday 10-4"

There are also other second hand stores that have them all along the highway in Riberas.
Bubble wrap and tape available at Strom White on the West side of Ajijic or at iShop in San Antonio Tlayacapan (just east of SuperLake).

Thanks Ferret.

RoyD

Kinda after the fact but you had a great opportunity in Tonala on everything you are looking for at likely far better prices than at Lakeside.

Then again, the stores in Tonala likely don't have price lists in dollars or speak English?

Ishop has bubble wrap.

We walked miles in Tonala, but nary a suitcase at any of the vendors booths. It was one of the things that I was looking for. I did get two leather belts and a new wallet. The belts in the US are junk and expensive. The ones here are all leather and I paid a whopping $7.50 a piece for them. The junk ones in the US are $20 plus.

Not being able to speak much Spanish was not an issue for us. My wife has a notebook that she has the vendor write down their price. She crosses it out and writes down what she wants to pay. The bargaining continues in this manner until we get to an agreed price or walk down to the next booth.

Prior to going, I wrote down the address of the Guad bus station in Spanish (Google Translate) and the Tonala Tianguis address in Spanish as well. I would give this to the taxi driver and he would take us where we wanted to go. $200 pesos each way. Bus is 60 pesos each way between SAT and Guad. A little planning made for a great experience for us.

RoyD

Yeah, you won't find suitcases in Tonala. The local thrift shops are your best bet OR you can find new ones at WalMart. I was in Tonala yesterday too. Never again on a Sunday.........lol.

In a pinch, you could simply pack a double sided cardboard box. I used to be in the line with all the Mexican Agricultural Workers when they returned to Mexico from Toronto in October. Lots of boxes with homemade string handles and not many suitcases.

There is a Samsonite store in The outlet mall in Tlajomulco.

Try Amazon.Mx
Fast delivery.

MichaelB wrote:There is a Samsonite store in The outlet mall in Tlajomulco.

Why would someone spend $ for expensive Samsonite luggage when they just need the suitcase for hauling back a bunch of stuff they bought?

On another note, some Canadian friends once bought a talavera sink to take back to Canada to use in their bathroom reno. The store was obviously used to packing these so you didn't require another suitcase for it. First they wrapped it in several layers of bubble wrap, taped down well, then wrapped it in cardboard, which they cut and shaped to fit the sink and taped down. Then they wrapped sturdy cording around it, and fashioned a handle by using a piece of orange electrical conduit which some of the cord went through. It was an impressive packing job. Of course they took it as carry-on, you wouldn't want the luggage handlers throwing it on the conveyer belt.

And like Ferret, I have seen so many Mexicans travelling either by bus or plane, with their stuff packed in cardboard boxes.

Greetings, Ferret! If you want a substantial, used suitcase, Mia’s Boutique on the Carretera always has a number of suitable maletas to choose from.

Ferret: forgot to add price of the maleta I bought at Mia’s Boutique: 300 pesos. Serious bargain.

All,
I found a suitably, large, Samsonite suitcase at Todo Bueno in Riberas for $25 U.S. It is now loaded with bubble wrapped treasures. Still have a counter full of treasures to pack in our remaining four cases.

We are spending the day at the Guadalajara Zoo with a friend today and will pack in earnest Friday through Sunday. Leaving Monday at 7:43 am. We have had a great time and thanks to all on the the board for the help you have provided during our visit.

C Bob, your wife's Boutique is lovely and busy.

Roy D