The Unique Stories We Tell
Every person has a unique story to share. Stories that are remnants of the past. A past full of memories.
Each of these memories is unique and special. Memories that can take us back to places, events and people. People we knew when we were just kids. Places we felt wonder and magic. Events that opened our eyes to a new world other than our own.
I was just about my son’s age when my dad first brought me to a Pet Store along the busy streets of Iloilo. I remember how excited I was choosing which guppies, goldfish and koi to bring home. It was one father and son adventure I always looked forward of going every time we went to the big city.
34 years later during my Summer vacation in the Philippines my sister asked me, “Manong, come with us. We are going to buy swordtails and guppies.” I answered back, “Okay, sounds fun. Where is it?” She replied, “The one by the street outside the Atrium Mall.”
The street looked exactly the same. Busier but had the same buildings around it.
While my sister was trying to get a discount from the seller, I checked the animals, birds and fishes from stall to stall. As I took the pictures, memories flowed as fast as talking parrot beside me.
Somehow, it made me miss the joys and excitement of the past. A simple past that created so many happy memories.
I hope these adorable puppies will find a kind and loving home soon.
By the time we were done, my sister and her husband bought 2 rabbits and several fishes. On our way to the car, I took one last look and wondered when will I’ll be back to see the unique open Pet Store by the street.
Thanks for sharing your day with me. I hope you enjoyed my version of the Weekly Photo Challenge called Unique.
All of us have something unique and beautiful story to tell. What’s yours?
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I’d want to rescue all those lovely creatures.
Me too but unfortunately I can’t. We left Iloilo city that day and traveled to my hometown. I do hope they all found a kind home.
Wow, that is really a different place! I guess, not so different from our pet stores we have in the states, but it is more like an open market.. Thank you for posting this!
It is an open market which I think makes it more fun and interesting. Thanks.
Lovely photos IT. The pet store we used to visit as children don’t exist anymore!
Sorry to here that. There are a lot of stores though that I remembered in childhood that are also no longer there and kind of saddens me that if not for our memories, they will forever be gone. Thanks for sharing.
Whoa, what are those lizard things in the 2nd to last picture??
p.s. I’ve nominated you for a blogging award! n_n
http://angrygaijin.wordpress.com/liebster-award/
Thanks for the award. The lizards has similar characteristics to chameleon. they change color too. I don’t know its name though.
Lovely pics especially those rabbits, fish and talking parrots. Great way of doing the photo challenge. Unique, indeed.
Thank you. It was fun rediscovering this place once again.
Very interesting My daughters would love them especially pupies
Puppies are adorable. My son always include a dog in his stories about family.
We never see life pets in the marketplace in England but you pictures take me back to a time I remember well
Images to bring us back to memories of joy and excitement. I miss sometimes the happy times of the past. Thanks for sharing.
oops I spotted two typos in my comment – I meant ‘live’ and ‘your’ but I’m sure you understood – V
Thank you for sharing a unique story.
Your welcome and thanks for sharing.
What a great take on the theme.
Thanks.
Very unique. Have a wonderful day.
Thanks Georgette.
What a great interpretation of unique. It brought back many memories for me too. The first time I saw such a market in Barcelona many years ago. Many small pets in cages lined the sidewalk, but I was shocked with the chipmunks for sale. That was very unique.
Unique is always something that sticks with us and makes memories…
Thanks for sharing.
Chipmunks? They roam freely here in Texas. I kind of feel bad though for their living conditions plus I wish they were all free as nature intended. Thanks.
Yes I was surprised too… Chipmunks run free here too.
The fish in the bags are adorable. Makes me want to head out to the pet store and buy a few. Sadly, I think my cat would have crazy ideas about the purchase! Neat post.
Manong? Is that your name? A nickname? Or am I totally off base?
Cat and fishes…hmmm. may not be a good combo. I saw one cat in our pond scooping the goldfish in the past. Manong is a name siblings give to their elder bother as a sign of respect and manang for women. I was the eldest of 6. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, how interesting! I also would want to buy everything and take them all home.
Thanks for the pingback, glad it brought me to your blog.
Thanks for the visit. I wanted to buy them too. The backyard of my parents looks like a big pet shop. My sister kept all the fish tanks I had when I still had a fish shop so many years ago.
That’s amazing (and the parrot that speaks 20 languages too) that the store still remains after all these years. Thanks for sharing these precious memories.
It gives me a bit of comfort that not everything change in the places I used to walk when I was younger. Some changes I could no longer recognize. Thanks.
I could look at that place for hours. I love the fish. I used to have aquariums. I miss having fish.
Having fishes they say is therapheutic and yes, fun. water calm us and those colorful fishes brings the kid in us. Thanks Connie.
Children are always so fascinated by pet stores. Thanks for sharing memories and photos. Great post for the challenge.
Pets keeps us young . They teach us to be more caring and affectionate too. Thanks.
My first job, far too many years ago, was in a pet shop. Granted, it was a tad different from this one on the street but, as a 14 year old, it was my dream job. This was a great response to the challenge. You would never see a street pet shop here in the States.
Thanks. I love animals, birds and fishes. I always dreamt of a house full of these amazing creatures. Perhaps one day. That is a cool job to have.
More fun with your family, glad to know that some pets were rescued and given a home. Pets are such marvelous lessons of life for a family. And the memories that you shared with us are priceless. Thanks.
Thanks Sally. Pets teaches us humans so many things. I think they make us into better, kinder persons.
Yes, and they give unconditional love.
That really is a unique shop. I haven’t been able to come up with anything unique, keep coming back to my family.
We’re all a bunch of niques!
Every family member is unique. Every person is unique, Thanks Darla.
Aww it’s a lovely pet shop, with so many varieties of cute animals! I’d love to have birds like in your photos. Beautiful pictures and meaningful words!
Love those birds too. Unfortunately I am allergic to feathers. Thanks for sharing.
I always love the open door pet stores in Southeast Asia. They have such a special feeling about, a feeling you have captured so wonderfully in these images. Great work, my friend.
Thanks Bro. I admire these kind of images. They remind me that life can be beautiful even when it is simple.
I totally agree with you – and know how easy it is to say exactly that when I come from a rich country.
Them puppies are actually healthy and good-looking, surprisingly. You can definitely find something unique in the busy streets of Philippines.
As they say, “It’s Fun In The Philippines!” Thanks Bro.
Unique story and photos. I like how the fishes are arranged in that simple handmade shelves. I remember these when I was very young, I bought lots of black molly fishes. It’s great to see these again, brings back old memories for me
It brought back fun and happy childhood memories just looking at the pictures. I wish one day I get to revist the place again. Thanks.
those are two lucky rabbits!!!! what a unique pet store, and what great memories!
My son and his cousins played with the rabbit in our garden the next day and just let them roam free.Happy times indeed. Thanks.
rabbits are special creatures, aren’t they? they surely enjoyed playing with the rabbit!
What a poignant story and a very unique pet store!
Thank you. Often times, a story lies with every picture and memory.
you captured the richness of this moment–the animals with all the people coming, going or simply deciding what to buy…this is something worth experiencing in a lifetime. and if my chance never rolls around, at least i’ll have your well done post to hold in my memory. <3
Your pictures will save your memories… i love your stories.