On Sunday we found the Chinatown of China… labels and haggling… the Silk Market!
The Silk Market was really overwhelming at first. It’s five stories and each floor has several different shops selling just about all of the same items. As you walk by each of the shops, the owners yell out to you, mostly in English, saying phrases like “beautiful girl” and “cheap price for you!”
Because there are so many different stands jammed packed together, we decided to separate so everyone could shop for the items they wanted. Molly and I headed straight for the jewelry section where you can haggle for freshwater pearls, which are very popular to buy in China.
After walking around, Molly and I decided on a stand to make a purchase. The woman working there was very nice. She showed us the pearls were real by scratching them right in front of us. Molly and I got to pick out our own strands of pearls. I chose some really pretty pink ones and Molly chose big white ones. The lady had us sit down and served us water and then right in front of us she strung our necklaces, tying knots between each of the pearls so they would not scratch each other. She was able to do it so quickly without even looking at what she was doing, which was pretty amazing. We also got to select the type of clasps that we wanted for our necklaces.
Haggling for the price was a lot of fun too. The price originally started at 120 kuai for one necklace. I eventually got a pearl necklace with matching earrings for 50 kuai, which is about seven US dollars… not too bad! When she was done stringing our necklaces we also got to pick out beautiful Chinese silk pouches for storing our pearls.
We also bought shoes and pocketbooks. I bought a pair of gray and black Coach pumps for about $8 and then the matching Coach pocketbook for about $10. The entire time I couldn’t stop thinking about how jealous Lauren would be once I told her about the Silk Market and showed her all of the nice things I bought!
I definitely plan on going back to the silk market to buy a bunch of souvenirs before I come home. I want to buy a new pair of Uggs, which I will probably be able to get for about $15 as well as a light trench coat jacket for the spring in Beijing. I can also get designer sneakers for really cheap. There is also a bunch of traditional Chinese knickknacks that I plan to bring home as souvenirs as well!
After shopping, we went to dinner at Pizza Hut, which like in Egypt, is considered an upscale restaurant in China. Jay, Molly, and I split a large stuffed crust cheese pizza because you rarely find cheese in China, and when you do, it’s expensive because it is all imported! If you are reading this, please send easymac! ☺
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Was it hard to haggle? I never got the hang of it. Are the merchants insulted if you don't haggle on the price? Are the bags,shoes etc knock-offs or the real deal? What was Lauren's reaction when you told her? Did she give you a list of requests? Are you taking requests from maybe your favorite Aunt????
ReplyDeleteIf we send easymac,will it pass customs?
love,
Aunt Debbi
It wasn't too hard to haggle and once you got used to it, it was actually a lot of fun. I don't think they are insulted if you don't haggle, but they think you are pretty stupid if you don't. Lauren was really jealous when I showed her and then started to send me links to see pictures of the pocketbooks she wants me to find for her. I was definitely planning on getting my favorite aunt something from the silk market just for reading my blogs, but if she sent easymac, well that would seal the deal! Any requests?
ReplyDeleteLove,
gette
I promise not to send you any links...I'll do my best on the easymac...
ReplyDeleteI only want you to enjoy and have fun. Oh and a bit of education is nice too!
I trust that whatever you pick out for your "favorite aunt", she will love. But not as much as she loves you!! oxox
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