Bargain of the Day!

Since my last post, my pals and I have gone shopping two times! Yesterday was in a market where we attempted to bargain- I picked up some sassy shoes (one pair is pink, of course) a johla (a bag you wear across your shoulders) and some gifts. I have no gauge as to how to begin the bargaining process. For example, in Mexico, cut it in half, in China, reduce by about 90%. Here.. not so sure. However I do feel that I got good deals, so I'll just leave it at that and not think about what a native might pay. Today, went to what I would call a mall and stores lined up on the street - not a strip mall, certainly not "boutiques". Anyway... I have to admit that I had more fun yesterday. Going into a store is rather intimidating though - in a small store (say 10 x 30) there were no less than 6 guys working - and no, I'm not exaggerating. Sometimes, depending on the store, there are guards at the doors. Additionally, you have to walk through security to enter the mall and have your purse searched - guys are patted down. If you made purchases, you have to leave your bags at the door with the guard. I didn't realize that theft is such a problem. Guess it is. I wonder what a store's shrinkage is here in India.

The office is getting ready to celebrate Holi <http://www.holifestival.org/>. Today we're instructed to wear white - be it a white top or pants (for the record, I don't recall the last time I put myself in a white pair of pants - I'll be wearing a white top instead). Apparently "color" is tossed around the entire country and walking on the street could prove to be hazardous as people fill balloons with powdered color and throw it on you. On the way back to the hotel, we did see a few gentlemen with color all over them. I'm quite curious about this whole thing.

We've decided that taking a trip to Goa is most likely out of the question. A weekend just isn't enough time. However we will be able to go to a place called Amritsar. There we can see the Golden Temple which is supposed to be fantastic. I realize we haven't done Delhi yet... we still have time.