Phew!!! One more shop and I thought I was going to collapse under the heap of the very shopping bags I was carrying. I didn't know before this day that there was a limit to even women...when it comes to shopping!Well...as guests to our French hosts, it was our moral duty to carry a 'few'(???) presents with us to France, so here we were hammering our heads, walking down the streets of Ahmedabad to buy something truly Indian. We needed such gifts that would bring about the essence of India and an aroma of our culture. The presents were not only meant to be a token of our appreciation, but they would express our gratitude and create a bond of love and amity, too.
My mother, my sister and I were scanning the shops for a variety of handicraft items and Law Garden is 'the place to be'!
Bedcovers, kurtis, wall pieces hung on the ropes flashed bright hues like yellow, red, green and blue; while the mirrors winked at us.
We stopped at a shop and asked the vendor for ethnic art work. Now, the best thing about Gujarati shopkeepers is that they are complete enthusiasts...and their favourite phrase is: "See everything till your heart's content. There is no charge for seeing things." So, we came…we saw...and we saw and we saw and we saw...and finally (No! we hadn't conquered yet! Things had just begun, you see.) So, now we were ready for the fun to start. And here, you know when the game starts. The cue for you is, when the price is quoted. Haggling is something that peps me up instantly! They begin with 2000; we make the deal in 200. (I’m just giving an example, so don’t really go for it. The vendors on this street are smart enough now. Street smart! lol) We were totally confused about what to buy, where to buy, how much to buy but subsequently, we bought quite a lot of stuff and there was a reflection of Gujarat in each of the things, I believe. Shopping in my city was a fab experience! I felt as if I was exploring the city from a new angle.
At the end of it all, we had spent quite some moolah for the French, but we knew that the smiles we would see on their faces would be...PRICELESS!! And as I carried all those goodie bags, I felt like Mr. Claus, though with a slight difference…I had no reindeers to cart my baggage!
hey MoniCa,
ReplyDeleteI do agree Law garden is the place to be for shopping typical indian gifts. Infact i had tuff time seraching for typical indian gifts in mumbai and i just though if i could go bac to law garden.....the stuff out there is too...cool...very indian. Also, we can ameliorate our bargaining technics.....i took one wall piece which he quoted me 750 for one finally i ended by 2 for 300/-.....I absolutely agree with you that we have to come down to 200 from 2000/-
That's from me.......
C u in Mumbai... A Bientot
The gifts that we give, however small it may be, is "India" for them and the whole gesture is so overwhelming for the French volunteers who will accompany you all everyday. Its amazing to see their faces light up and to see the smile in their faces on seeing the gifts given with so much love and affection. Monica, believe me , your , your mother and ur sisters'efforts are worthwhile :). Good luck
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