We went back down to Charminar last Sunday afternoon (26/06/11). There is a huge bangle market with of course bangles but there are also pearls and fruit and henna and just about anything you can imagine. Eight of us went down there by public bus. First we get on the bus going the wrong way... Then the correct bus was pretty full but we all got on standing room only. The sweet thing about these buses is that when people want to get on or off they have to hit the bus usually the top when you're inside and the back if you're outside. But most of the time the driver doesn't stop... So, people are constantly jumping on and off. Scary. (don't worry the bus stop for us).
We got off at the correct stop, Koti. Then, we had to get a couple rickshaws to take us the rest of the way to Charminar. We bargain the price down to 50 rupees and he drops us off in the middle of the shopping market right outside of Charminar. The first thing we look for is a pearl ring for Lindsey. The first shop we go into she finds this gigantic pearl and it is only 400 rupees.. I was a little upset because I had bought my pearl ring in a different market for 700 rupees, and mine is about 3 times smaller. Oh well, I bought a pearl in the City of Pearls so its fine. Still a lot cheaper than a pearl in the States. Anyways, Lindsey was so surprised at the price she didn't even try to bargain.
The next thing we needed to buy were bangles. And let me tell you there are SO many shops for bangles I was already overwhelmed and I hadn't started shopping yet. We go into the first store with absolutely gorgeous bangles. Except Indian people have small hands and most of them didn't fit on my wrist.. (and I think I have pretty small hands/wrists...) The salesmen are very persuasive though it took us at least 30 minutes to leave that store.. Not buying anything there, we went to the next store. They were less quality but more quantity.. Don't get me wrong they are very nice just not as nice as the 1500 rupees each at the other place. This time we fell in love with a few and ended up getting ripped off, like usual, in price. I need to learn how to bargain so they take me seriously.
After we spent too much money at the bangle store Lindsey and I started wandering around, saying no to everyone who asked if we needed something... We were minding our own business when Lindsey says, "I could really go for an ice cream". I nodded in agreement and kept walking. Less than a minute later a women taps me on the shoulder and offers Lindsey and I FREE ICE CREAM! Best day ever. It was mango and cold and delicious. It made up for the extra money we spent at the bangle store. :)
We got off at the correct stop, Koti. Then, we had to get a couple rickshaws to take us the rest of the way to Charminar. We bargain the price down to 50 rupees and he drops us off in the middle of the shopping market right outside of Charminar. The first thing we look for is a pearl ring for Lindsey. The first shop we go into she finds this gigantic pearl and it is only 400 rupees.. I was a little upset because I had bought my pearl ring in a different market for 700 rupees, and mine is about 3 times smaller. Oh well, I bought a pearl in the City of Pearls so its fine. Still a lot cheaper than a pearl in the States. Anyways, Lindsey was so surprised at the price she didn't even try to bargain.
The next thing we needed to buy were bangles. And let me tell you there are SO many shops for bangles I was already overwhelmed and I hadn't started shopping yet. We go into the first store with absolutely gorgeous bangles. Except Indian people have small hands and most of them didn't fit on my wrist.. (and I think I have pretty small hands/wrists...) The salesmen are very persuasive though it took us at least 30 minutes to leave that store.. Not buying anything there, we went to the next store. They were less quality but more quantity.. Don't get me wrong they are very nice just not as nice as the 1500 rupees each at the other place. This time we fell in love with a few and ended up getting ripped off, like usual, in price. I need to learn how to bargain so they take me seriously.
After we spent too much money at the bangle store Lindsey and I started wandering around, saying no to everyone who asked if we needed something... We were minding our own business when Lindsey says, "I could really go for an ice cream". I nodded in agreement and kept walking. Less than a minute later a women taps me on the shoulder and offers Lindsey and I FREE ICE CREAM! Best day ever. It was mango and cold and delicious. It made up for the extra money we spent at the bangle store. :)
