Shopping

Some interesting places to shop here. You can go to the department
stores if you want to, but you will pay at least US prices for things,
usually more. Or, you can go to the creative places.

Last Sat. we went to a crazy, dirty market. It was like going to a
swap meet in the US. Lots of cheaply made goods at low prices. We
mostly walked through the toy section where you can also find
parasols, and Barbie knock-offs. Cool wooden puzzles that you could
also paint. Most of the stuff you can find in the US, sometimes even
cheaper. One shop lady told us it is because her government will pay
her a subsidy if she exports to the US so that she can sell her things
easily. If she sells it here she doesn't get the subsidy so the prices
are about the same. Interesting economics.
Yesterday I went with some friends to a resturaunt supply district.
There you can get dishes, flatware, glasses, tablecloths (they will
make them for you and unfortunately I got mine made really big bec. I
was silly and didn't measure my table before I left), chair covers,
tea cups...chafing dishes...all sorts of things. Some of the pottery
you can get seems to be leftovers from what didn't get shipped to the
US. Really fun stuff.
Today a friend is taking us to a fabric place so we will see what it is like!
Michelle