The Korean Market

Among the many things I didn't pack, or didn't have/posses to pack was a nice, correctly sized pair of jeans. Right now, as you may recall, my wardrobe is not what you could call "up-to-date". Actually, the 90's called, they want their bell bottoms back. Wish I was kidding. Today's main goal was to find a good pair of...drum roll please...skinny jeans. Yes. I'm breaking down, jumping on the bandwagon and off the wooden cart of the easy going (read: hippie) flares. I'm joining the world in a fashion trend...this might be the first time I'll be a current fashion wearer.
One of the long stay guests I think I've mention before, named Gail, is a fearless bloodhound when it comes to shopping. Her decisive manner of the activity, knowing what she wants, where it is, who's selling it, when the sale is, down to how much she'll pay, neatly creates a quick and relatively painless shopping experience. This morning dawned grey, cloudy and sheets of rain feel straight down from above. The streets were already flooded by 9.30, and umbrella's bloomed as people emerged from shops, and most of the buildings were obscured by low hanging clouds. It really gave a whole new meaning to 'cloudburst' for me. Its more like a water balloon met up with a hedgehog and their hug had disatorous results.
Anywho, Gail and I decided to brave the downpour and make our way to the Korean market. This market is very similar to the dreaded Victory Plaza, but instead being down in the depths of the earth, its up in a huge warehouse. So still sketchy, just easier to escape from. Gail has been there lots of times, and they know her at certain booths. A couple places she took me to first were the pearl and jade booths. The pearls are mostly legit, and I think fairly reasonably priced, while the jade can be questionable and I have no idea what jade is worth to be honest. They also call everything jade, so you could be buying rose quartz or just some lumps of rock... You gotta be careful. After we perused for a little bit, she whisked me downstairs to the main shopping center. There are about five stories, and each one has specific merchandise. Clothing is on the lower levels, shoes and handbags up a level, then electronics, then jewelry etc, etc. We hit the booths for jeans first, and I tried on the first pair I found (and to try on anything, they drape a sheet across the booth) luckily found some that fit, and bargained my way to a reasonable price. (At least I think its reasonable, its probably not compared to what locals get.)
Next we looked around for some handbags, and I searched for some shoes that won't murder my feet everyday, and stop giving me bunions. I'm not looking to have 80 year old feet by the time I'm 23.
 I found a nice pair of sensible black flats, and had fun with the attendee arguing prices down. By the end she was laughing and gave me the thumbs up sign because I kept shaking my head, putting in ridiculously low prices and walking away when she said no. Finally she grabbed my arm and we settled to a good price. I felt better about that bargain than I did ever shopping at Victory Plaza. Thank goodness Gail was there too, the unshakable, incorrigible woman that she is! I was so unsure what a good price was and she helped me stick to my guns.
We walked around a little bit longer, and I tried to get orientated so I can take the girls there later. We'll just have to figure it out when we go I think. Its about as easy to walk through as I imagine a pitch black Labryinth to be. Every booth is so similar to each other, and merchandise is repeated over and over until you don't know which way you've been. Next time maybe I'll bring some crumbly bread.
After a while we decided to head home, which was fine by me! I get pretty wiped out from shopping here...its exhausting with so many people, everyone talking or trying to get you into their store. We walked out the front entrance to it raining cats and dogs. The sidewalks were mostly flooded, walking across the street requires stepping into a river, and all the flat areas of walkways were coursing with sheets of water. I might as well have jumped into a flat fountain and splashed around. So much rain! It was fun going with Gail though, as nothing seems to faze her. We made it back to the hotel and parted ways. It wasn't a hugely exciting day, but enough to make the day pleasantly filled. Still not ready to shop alone though.

 I came home, made some tea and settled down with my Sherlock Holmes novel, had a rest, ate dinner and now I'm probably going to watch a show before heading to bed. Simple day, simple evening, just the usu. here in China.