Hip Hippo

Another one of many hippo mugs I own. Besides a little hippo head (see picture, left), it has a little portrait of a giraffe on the back as well, but it is small enough to be ignored ;-). If you follow my blog, you already know I always try to buy two mugs. One to use and one for the collection. Last year, I found this mug in the Robinson Department Store, in Bangkok - Thailand. A huge hippo mug in a pretty, bright orange gift box! Unfortunately, the mug I used got chipped. I love the smile and the color. And because our National Day is coming up, I thought the orange is very appropriate for this post. 

Masterpiece from Myanmar

I don't think I would get into trouble if I used the title I had first in mind: Burmese Beauty, but just to be on the safe side. When we were living in Thailand, we were blessed with a wonderful woman called Mari. She was working for us as domestic helper and nanny. When she went to Myanmar on home leave, I asked her whether she could bring a hippo for me. I could not let the opportunity pass, to possibly add a hippo from Myanmar to my collection. To be honest, I had little hope. Some time before my request I had been in Cambodia, and tried to find a hippo there. The people in the shops had absolutely no idea what I was talking about, so I thought Myanmar would not be much different. To my surprise she brought back this amazing art piece. It is made with finely crushed semi precious stones. An uncle of a friend of her made it. I was completely speechless. This custom made masterpiece had to be framed right away. I am a very proud owner of probably the only hippopotamus from Myanmar :-). I do hope Mari, all is well with you. We are still missing you very much. 

Mr. and Mrs. Goodwill

Flea markets, l have always loved them. Roaming around and looking for nice things for a bargain, and hippos of course. I am already looking forward to the "Open-Air-Flea-Market-Season" which starts in the second half of April, till about end of September. To get my fix during those off-season times, I have been going to thrift shops and antique centers (see post: Hopewell Junction's Four). Luckily there are also two Goodwill stores very close by. For you to get an idea how severe this addiction is, I will tell you this story about how I found this salt and pepper shakers. I had been going around the store, ready to pay and go home. But then I heard the sound. The sound those carts make. Those large carts, staff members use to wheel in new stuff into the store. Ignore it and go home... or? Well, of course, I turned around to have (what I told myself) ONE last look! And there they were.... standing next to each other. Decorated with a neon orange sticker saying: $ 4.99, and smiling!

* some extra information has been given to me by a few very knowledgeable collectors. These are UTCTI hippos, produced in Japan, and part of a whole set, consisting of a large variety of items. Unfortunately, these "brown face hippos" are not being made anymore. Thank you Sheila and Becky for the information!