We still have shopping to finish before we leave for the US. We’re going to the Silk Street Market, to get the wristband adjusted on my Rolex watch. I found the shop where I purchased it, and they made the adjustment. They also gave me a lesson on how to adjust the time and calendar. It’s not like any watch I’ve ever dealt with.
Judy’s been interested in maybe getting a watch, so she begins to check out the options. I think she ended up with a Rolex and a couple of Omega watches. Since I already had a rapport with the staff, the bargaining is a little easier. The prices keep coming down, making me think I probably paid too much on my previous purchases.
We stopped in at a few other shops. There is no such thing as browsing in these places. If you take an interest, they start asking how many you want, and then out comes a calculator. Before you start talking, you better be prepared to take it home, or have them yelling at you as you walk away. In one of the shops, we selected some items, and the “talks” began. I didn’t want the items that badly, and wouldn’t move up from 10% of what they wanted to sell it for. They inched down, and I didn’t move. I eventually pulled out the money I quoted, and tried to offer it to them. When they wouldn’t take it, I tried to leave, and two little sales girls blocked my exit, enthusiastically saying “impossible, impossible”, referencing my offer. I agreed it was impossible and kept trying to walk out. Judy was long gone, standing down the hall outside the shop grinning. I can’t believe she didn’t film this.
I eventually got through the blockade and out the door, and sure enough as we walked away, around a corner, they both hollered “ok, ok”. When I went back they tried to squeeze me for a few more rmb, but eventually gave up. We wandered by the shop later as we were leaving and they muttered and glared as we went by. The same scenario happened in another shop, without quite so much vehemence. We left Silk Street Market not “feeling the love”, but with stuff in our bags, and even some money in our pockets.
Down the street, I took Judy to Tim’s Texas BBQ. She had some nachos, and I had the Border Burger (big patty with cheese and two grilled Anaheim peppers). This is probably the closest thing we’ve found in Beijing for food from back home. It was great!
After our late lunch, we decided our feet needed some work and went to Dragonfly Spa for some foot massage pampering. I just can’t stay awake when I get this relaxed. I’m afraid my snoring might have bothered some of the nearby patrons, but, oh well. Back home after our day of shopping, eating, and pampering, we begin to plan for the week and our Saturday departure for Texas. It’ll be on top of us before we know it.