Ricki in Korea

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Day 2 in Shang-Hai part 2

Not sure how long the rain would stay off we decided to visit the famous Xing-yang market, they are known for their replica merchandise. We asked around to find the subway. Then we bought tickets all by ourselves. We figured out everything because we're city girls if you've been on one subway system you've been on them all. Once we got to the market we had to use the restroom. Being accosted by a person selling watches we told her we wanted to find bags and the restroom. Lucky for her and us she had a friend who's store was near the restroom. We went into the store and they lead us to a back room. Oh boy here we go. Charlie was looking at some bags and watches. I was interested in some bags until they told me the price. Now I have to pause here and say the RMB is very tricky. It's not one to one or two to one like some money systems. I believe 10 RMB=2.50, 100=15.00 and 400=60.00 about I'm rounding up. Ok now I don't know what Charlie was thinking when they were telling her these prices. 2100 for 2 watches and 8100 for her 2 watches 4 purses. She was really ready to buy these bags. I was trying to give her hints that it was too much and we should get out of there, but I guess she was in a shopping zen, she even kicked me and told me to buy a bag because it was a great deal. Finally, as they were about to re size a watch for her, I said can I speak to you outside. We went outside and I told her I only brought a certain amount of money and she said" Oh you can't buy that purse, you don't have enough." to which I replied " Noooo, you don't have enough either. You have enough maybe for one watch." Finalllllly it clicked and she told me to call our friend Ming ( A friend of ours middle name who is of Chinese descent but I'm more Chinese than he is.) also my phone didn't work in China. So I was like oh my goodness what am I gonna do ? So I told her I left my phone in the hotel. Unfortunately she said " No, you have it in your bag". I didn't like being put on the spot, but I turned on the phone and pretended to make a phone call. While on the phone Charlie kept interrupting me, till she asked to speak on the phone. While she was on the phone I started making my way toward the door. The people in the store started getting scared while all of this was happening they resized the watch and had it on Charlie's wrist in record time, they started buzzing around Charlie while she was on the phone. She started sounding shocked and said "Oh no! They are trying to rip us off ?" With that I was out the door and she started making her way out as well. They began to follow us saying "No lady don't go. We give you good price. We give you half of what your friend say. How much you wanna pay ?" Which means they tried to take the tourists for a ride. We were excited and drained we got out of there. (Story sounds much better on the phone so if you wanna hear it callll me. Lol) We did end up getting bags while there using the walkout method. By the time we got back on the train and by our hotel my feet were throbbing. We tried a new fruit (Mangosteen sooooo delicious) and went home. After an hour or so of resting we got ready to go eat dinner. But all restaurants close around 9:30-10:00. So we walked some more looking for food. I threatened to tell my mom on Charlie if she didn't step up her game and find me some food. Finally we stumbled upon a hotel with a bar/ restaurant that was open . We went in and guess what ? They said they only had noodles. (I'm thinking ramen noodles.) But yay !!!! it was pasta. So i got to eat on Thursday.

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