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Shopping Spree at the Silk Market (don't tell Rick!!)
Just arrived back at the apartment from many hours of shopping at the Silk Market. To my shopping girl friends - I know that you are shocked that I actaully went shopping! To those who do not know - I hate to shop! But as I blogged before - this place is amazing. I took some video and will try to figure out how to download so that you can see what I mean.
So - again today - it was Rick's idea to shop - he wanted some knock off products - and boy oh boy - are there knock off products there! I turned my back and he had bought a "Spider" ski jacket for $60. (those who ski know that is a great deal) But - I think that the jacket has the zipper on the side that is typically the side that female clothing has the zipper. Many would say - big deal - but think about it - when you zipper - men and women typically zipper on opposite sides!
But - Rick had plans to go to Team Handball with our new friend Adam - so he left me at the Silk Market. Now...was that a good idea???? I started out going to the foot massage section of the market. Our friend Mel (who should be here with us) told us that foot massages are cheap and great! So - I thought - when in China - do as the Chinese...I got a foot massage. But....as typical...there were many, many, many more services offered. "...lady, do you want to add this clay to your pedicure - it is good for you?....lady, you need to polish your nails - look, I do one for free...." )(I promise, I am not being politically incorrect - these are exact words!!) By now, I have learned to ask how much, but still have a tough time saying no! and Mel - things are MUCH more expensive now that the Olympics are here in Beijing! But - I got a fabulous 75 minute pedicure, foot and leg massage and clay footbath for 360 RMB - which is about $45....and I got to meet a representative from the Indian Olympic Committee, an atletic manager from Washington state and a student from the University of Notre Dame traveling in China.
Not bad for my first 75 minutes alone in the Silk Market....Rick would be happy with my money spending...
ah - but then - I went to the upper floors - remember that I told you that is where the higher quality shops are?....and well...I shopped!! Now - here is something interesting....when we took our flight over - we flew on United. We had a GREAT, GREAT flight crew. Robert was kind enought to charge my phone in the first class section that he was working in; Denise was GREAT with giving us data about things here in Beijing. They gave us some shops to visit in the different markets. When I told a few locals about this - they did not respond favorably. They indicated that there were kick backs for the whole process.
But - my take - it is much easier to shop when you do not have to negotiate every single dollar. So - up at Katherine's on the top floor of the silk market - they told me that I got the "special" price - what that means, who knows for sure....but, in my mind I got a good deal. (hmmm, maybe when Rick sees the credit card bill, he may not agree!!)
I went back to the lower floors and stopped to get a few tops on my way out...since I am not a shopper, I really have no idea what a good price is - but, I got three "fake" polo shirts and an Olympic pin for 150 RMB - about $23....I am thinking that I could have gotten them for less, but I was ready to get out of there and really had a tough time with how much work it is to bargin.
Rick is due back from the team handball event - he wanted to see the men play. Tomorrow - Friday - we have tickets for track and field - so we get into the Bird's Nest.....will report about that experience!
Thanks for reading!! Please post your comments and order your subscription for the Daily Local News!
So - again today - it was Rick's idea to shop - he wanted some knock off products - and boy oh boy - are there knock off products there! I turned my back and he had bought a "Spider" ski jacket for $60. (those who ski know that is a great deal) But - I think that the jacket has the zipper on the side that is typically the side that female clothing has the zipper. Many would say - big deal - but think about it - when you zipper - men and women typically zipper on opposite sides!
But - Rick had plans to go to Team Handball with our new friend Adam - so he left me at the Silk Market. Now...was that a good idea???? I started out going to the foot massage section of the market. Our friend Mel (who should be here with us) told us that foot massages are cheap and great! So - I thought - when in China - do as the Chinese...I got a foot massage. But....as typical...there were many, many, many more services offered. "...lady, do you want to add this clay to your pedicure - it is good for you?....lady, you need to polish your nails - look, I do one for free...." )(I promise, I am not being politically incorrect - these are exact words!!) By now, I have learned to ask how much, but still have a tough time saying no! and Mel - things are MUCH more expensive now that the Olympics are here in Beijing! But - I got a fabulous 75 minute pedicure, foot and leg massage and clay footbath for 360 RMB - which is about $45....and I got to meet a representative from the Indian Olympic Committee, an atletic manager from Washington state and a student from the University of Notre Dame traveling in China.
Not bad for my first 75 minutes alone in the Silk Market....Rick would be happy with my money spending...
ah - but then - I went to the upper floors - remember that I told you that is where the higher quality shops are?....and well...I shopped!! Now - here is something interesting....when we took our flight over - we flew on United. We had a GREAT, GREAT flight crew. Robert was kind enought to charge my phone in the first class section that he was working in; Denise was GREAT with giving us data about things here in Beijing. They gave us some shops to visit in the different markets. When I told a few locals about this - they did not respond favorably. They indicated that there were kick backs for the whole process.
But - my take - it is much easier to shop when you do not have to negotiate every single dollar. So - up at Katherine's on the top floor of the silk market - they told me that I got the "special" price - what that means, who knows for sure....but, in my mind I got a good deal. (hmmm, maybe when Rick sees the credit card bill, he may not agree!!)
I went back to the lower floors and stopped to get a few tops on my way out...since I am not a shopper, I really have no idea what a good price is - but, I got three "fake" polo shirts and an Olympic pin for 150 RMB - about $23....I am thinking that I could have gotten them for less, but I was ready to get out of there and really had a tough time with how much work it is to bargin.
Rick is due back from the team handball event - he wanted to see the men play. Tomorrow - Friday - we have tickets for track and field - so we get into the Bird's Nest.....will report about that experience!
Thanks for reading!! Please post your comments and order your subscription for the Daily Local News!
posted by DLNOlympics at
2:51 AM
3 Comments:
Whatja get me??? Not something expensive, I hope!
I can not wait to see all of your purchases. Did you get the thing for your hair?? So glad you are having a good time. We will plan a weekend to scrapbook everything when you get back. :) Enjoy Track & Field and the green.
xoxoxo Michelle
Christina - I can't believe I missed this when you originally posted. Sounds like a nice afternoon of doing as the locals. I love the Daily Local Plug. If I lived in the area I would subscribe. I wonder if their parent company is owned by the same people that own our local paper.....probably, and if so then they get plenty of my money.
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