I got snookered last week. I needed a scarf and I've been looking but,no luck. We were at a different marketplace and this old lady had some . They were 25 yuan, about $3.50. I know you can get them cheaper, but she was so sweet. So I chose two of them and offered her 40 yuan. She took it. All the while she is comparing her dark weather-beaten hands and face to my "white" skin. Then Ernie came up and I told him to take a picture of us. She's all smiles(even good teeth). Ernie starts admiring some other scarfs ,pashminas, that she had, and she puts one on me. She's still smiling and chatttering away in Chinese. I thought she wanted me to have it. Which I didn't want to happen. They don't make much money. So finally, she pointed to the price and Ernie pulled out his wallet and paid her 30 yuan for it. She was asking 35. So I got another scarf, and it's not even one that we were admiring! Maybe I should say Ernie got snookered!!
We just got back from a huge shopping trip. We went to Da Hu Tong for 5 hrs. It's about 5 mi. away. It is blocks and blocks of stalls in buildings that are 3 stories high, plus all the street stalls. We looked all over and didn't find any North Face coats! But we didn't come home empty -handed:)
My beautiful bag ,that was a Christmas present from Betty, was full, and Dad had two large bags too. I'm not sure what we bought, but it was fun. Chinese New Year is in a few weeks and everyone gets new clothes then, so for a Monday it was really crowded!
I took my own PBJ but Dad bought a hot dog (?) off the street. He still seems OK. Although he did trip in a store and fall on his knee! The one thing you cannot do in China is fall. Especially at our age.
Love you all. Mom XXOO
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