The Secondhand Souq

One of the compound's shopping bus' most controvertial stops is at the secondhand souq. Here second hand clothes that have been given to charity are sold for next to nothing. Some ladies wrinkle their noses at the mere mention of it, and others may consider receiving treatment to cure them of the frenzy that comes over them at the sight of so much ridiculously cheap clothing. I have been to many social getherings where the ladies strutt around in their finery, if you look carefully you can see some of them winking to each other, and may hear them whisper that they paid the enormous sum of five or ten riyals for their gorgeous outfits (Five riyals is about R11, depending on the exchange rate).

Many ladies go to dig for evening gowns. Some have reported buying designer dresses still with the labels on. I haven't come across any of those, and have found the dresses to be quite garish, decorated with tons of sequins or costume jewellery. I have bought many girls outfits there, some a bit moth eaten, others perfectly fine. Children's clothes go for 3 riyals a piece (about R7), and adults clothing from 5 riyals. If you can get your husband to accompany you you will certainly pay quite a bit less. Obviously you can't try anything on for size and it is inevitable to come home with some duds and the haggling is an inevitable part of the experience. It certainly is dusty, and during the summer months is too hot as it is not in a building, but outside under tarpaulin. Forget about the grand malls and designer boutiques, there is nothing quite like digging around for treasure at the second hand souq.