A Bundle is cut

Two weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about second hand clothing bundles; the processes of delivery and usage of these large clear bags fuels various activities in the market. After a few conversations with traders in the market, I have learned that new bundles are 'cut' (term for 'opened') early in the morning on a daily basis (Monday and Thursday are the busiest mornings).

How early is early? 4am, 5am or 6am -depending on what you are looking for and the price you are willing to pay. Intrigued by this, I went to the market at 5.30am this morning. The gates opened at 6am which is the official opening time set by the management. I'll record some of my early morning experiences in subsequent posts.

The images below are focused on the opening of a single bundle. Walking through the market, I saw a vendor reaching out to open a bundle of jumpers; he proceeded to cut it open and a number of customers reached in from all directions picking out and tugging between each other for various pieces. The vendor selling the newly opened jumpers (at one flat and discounted price) took out a few of the best pieces and handed them to his co-vendor for safe keeping. It was clearly a struggle for the vendor to preserve a few jumpers amidst customers pulling out the jumpers they wanted from the pile in front of them. At one point he pushed all the demanding hands away and put his hands over the opened bundle to temporarily stop the customers picking out jumpers.