Shopping with Auntie

Last night, we experienced true Indian shopping with Auntie in Bombay. We have been planning on buying the bulk of our souvenirs in India and then shipping them back. It will be expensive to ship it back, but how often do you get to go to India? Anyway, we knew that we were meeting with Auntie and Rebecca let us know that she was a master shopper. Rebecca was right. First stop, Auntie took us to a fixed price shop where we bought quite a few things for ourselves and a few things for other people. Fixed price shops are nice as you don’t have to haggle, although I have to admit I like haggling. After that stop, we hit the mall. Ashley and I each bought a nice “ethnic” (the stores term not ours) shirt. Something that is colorful and durable to have as a lasting memory. From the mall, we did a stop at a handicraft bazaar (non fixed price). We picked up some more stuff – shirt for me, a wall hanging, and a present or two. I have noticed three things that make shopping better with Auntie over shopping alone.
1. Where to go. Auntie knows where to go to get a bargain. She knows which shops are reputable and which are not. Also, she knows where things are nicely priced.
2. Quality and Price. Its nice to have an outside opinion to comment on whether something is a good deal or not, plus the insight into the quality of the product really makes us feel better about purchases.
3. Instant Respect. We have noticed that in India there are two prices. The first is for Indians, and is much lower. The second is for foreigners and its higher. With Auntie, we get the Indian price!!!!! What a nice change. The haggling is much easier!

Other thoughts about India….
– We went on a bus tour of Bombay today. The bus was a local one, and filled with natives. It was good to interact with them. We met some really nice kids on it (hi Sam!) and saw a lot of Bombay. A very nice time.
– Bombay is hot.
– Uncle has given us some good tips on travel and insight into Hinduism. We are fascinated by Hinduism and its nice to have a guide to help us understand what is what.
– Our culinary extravaganza continues. India home cooking is the BEST. We love it.