I have a new travel partner now: Abby. He is the best barterer I have ever met, yes, he may actually rival Umit in his bartering abilities (although Umit is an excellent barterer also). As I mentioned in my last post, someone stole my sandals, so naturally I needed some new sandals.
Today Abby and I had a bit of time to kill so we decided to go look for some appropriate ware (the flip-flops I have will not do for any real length). We found a little shoe store and I found some suitable, albeit plastic, sandals which will suffice. The salesman quoted me 210 INRs (which is about $5.25), Abby said 150 ($3.75). Of course, the salesman laughed and said something about 210 being the price and there is no haggling in here. Then Abby, with a tweak of the salesman's mustache (I am not exaggerating, Abby really does this!), a laugh, a head bobble, and a "very nice, very nice" he simply took the money out (150) and gave it to the salesman. In response, the salesman asked us to sit down and have tea, and of course we were much obliged. It turns out that the salesman also teaches yoga so we had a nice chat with him about pranayama and suryanamaskara. After our tea Abby asked for a gift (was he joking? I'm not sure) and the salesman gave us both a PRADA (fake, of course) change purse. I find these types of interactions absolutely fascinating, and hilarious.
So yay, I now have some plastic sandals (with silver flowers!), a little blue PRADA change purse, and a belly full of warm, milky, sweet chai, all for 150INRs.
Well, I must dash. We have a date with an Indian to go see some temples this afternoon and we wouldn't want to be late!!
love love love and all that good stuff! Hari Om Tat Sat.
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