Shopping in half the world

I saw half the world today. I also tried to buy half the world as I tried to shop for gifts. My tour guide doesn't seem to understand that I shop much better when I panic shop on the last day of a trip. I did buy a bunch of stuff today but I didn't have the same adrenaline rush because I still have a couple of days left. Shopping is interesting here because I keep being led to these workshops where they show you how they make traditional handicrafts and then try to sell you them at exorbitant prices. Most of them aren't even that well made and I'm thinking as I look at them, yeah if that's like 15 bucks my mom might like it, it's kind of cute. It's hard not to either looked shocked or laugh when they then tell you it's $300. I was having a hard time getting it through my guides head that I wanted cheap souveniers, not crazy expensive (and often really ugly) artwork. I finally did find one place where I was able to buy some stuff.




There's one particular craft that this country is internationally known for. Before I came I thought I might buy a small one so I could say I had this from the place that invented it. That was before I found out just how much they were. The smallest ones are at least $1800 and my guide keeps telling me that it's a great price they are offering me and that their value goes up over time because they get more valuable as they get older. Umm yeah but that doesn't do me a whole heck of a lot of good when me and my $1800 gift to myself are living in a van down by the river because I can't pay my mortgage next month. I knew I was in trouble in the store when they started telling me it was the highest quality and signed by the artist. I'm still trying to find the place that tells me this is so-so quality and made by a machine somewhere in Bangladesh - that's probably the only way I could afford it! Maybe it's just the perception of Americans that we all have money so I can't get anyone to show me anything cheaper. Maybe (ok probably) my guide gets kickbacks if I buy in these stores. Maybe guides in this country make a whole heck of a lot more money than American teachers because she has been shopping in these stores for her house and is agonizing about choosing between the $15,000 one, the $10,000 or getting two of the smaller $ 6,000 ones. OK I'm definitely in the wrong profession!



So I do make it a point to buy myself one nice thing from each place I go and hang it up in my living room. There is another craft that this country is also well known for that I decided to check out. I met the artist, who has exhibitions all over the world and has been written up in art magazines. I found one I fell in love with and although it was a splurge, it was a reasonable one and I'm very happy with my purchase. I'll post pictures when I get home. The best part is, I can take the $1800 they wanted me to spend in the other store buy this artwork, pay my mortgage for the next two months and save the rest for a deposit on my next trip.



I mentioned my guide a few times. Yes, I'm traveling with a guide and driver which is not necessarily my favorite way to travel. I prefer group tours or volunteer groups but in this part of the world that is not possible. It is also not possible for Americans to travel unescorted so a guide and driver was my only option. They have all been very nice but I really just want to run out and grab a pizza or something but if I do that, either the reception desk at the hotel or the local police will call my guide and yell at her so I guess that's out of the question tonight - I wonder if Domino's delivers - probably not in 30 minutes or less!



Speaking of the police, I met the tourism police today when they wanted to interview me for a survey they were doing about how they could better welcome guests to the country. The officer was very nice but the whole experience was pretty surreal. I've also been hearing a lot about the morality police in this city and how strict they are. It feels a bit Orwellian but a ticket from them would probably be the ultimate souvenier to bring home. And at about $30 it would be a heck of a lot cheaper than most things here!