China - Day 16, Thursday

More shopping! Today we are going to the Fake Market. This is where you can buy knock offs really cheap if you know how to bargain. I wanted a table runner for the Dining room table and a new wallet. Amy wanted to buy UGGs and some other things for people back home.

The Fake Market is an interesting place to shop. There are many shopping areas like this around the city. We first experienced this type of shopping in Beijing. The one we went to today is under the Science and Technology building near the subway. It is underground. There are hundreds of little shops in a "mall" all wanting you buy. The clerks sit outside and call out to you "Hey lady want a tee-shirt" (Yeah right, like they would have my size!), "Hey lady want a bag", "Hey lady come in and look". Once they have you inside it is sometimes hard to leave. They will block your way out, grab your arm and hold you back, etc. Basically you have to know the most you want to spend, cut the price in half and start bargaining. They always come in very high and you come in very low. If they want the sale bad enough they will come down to your price, if not you walk out and go to the next vendor because there are plenty selling the same stuff.

You can buy designer handbags, like Louis Vitton, Coach, Gucci, etc. You can also buy things like tee-shirts, North Face jackets, jeans, silk table clothes and bedding,  watches, jewelery, Chinese souvenirs, suitcases, shoes, silk scarves, etc. Of course all knock offs, but copied exactly so who would know except that it will not last as long as the real one.

There are hundreds of rows of stores like this in the Fake Market.

The merchants sit out on a bench outside and try to get you to come into their shop. This shop sells designer bags

The shop to the left sells clothes

Tom's knock-off shoes

Beutiful silk items - robes, duvet covers, scarves, etc. I bought a table cloth (not from this vendor but one similar.)

Ties, watches, belts, etc.

Backpacks, suitcases, etc.

Suitcases, designer purses, wallets, etc. I bought my wallet here.

It is fun to go to the Fake Market, but it is exhausting. After Amy leaves, probably won't go here until more company arrives. Will it be you?




Today's Cultural Differences/Frustrations 101: Picking your nose in public is socially acceptable! Basiclly I try to ignore this (and look the other way)!


HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY JENNIFER!