Shopping Sidebar: Walla Walla Bling Bong

Shopping in India is an experience unto itself. Sunny, our fearless leader, encouraged shopping, but not buying, for the first several days of the trip, instructing us to find what we liked and inform him. Sunny, in turn, would arrange visits to better shops in Jaipur and Jodphur, textile meccas. We were to learn not only about Indian shopping, but also about each others’ talents and interests. More importantly, shopping allowed us time to practice a new treatment to reverse the graying and hair loss—10 minutes per day of rubbing the fingernails of each hand against each other in a quick side-to-side (or up-and-down) motion. Rick and Paul’s domes now resemble George and Ringo circa 1968.

Our first full stop was the Gem Palace in Jaipur. Actually this turned out to be an atypical Indian experience – the gems were beautiful, but the shopkeepers somewhat aloof and snooty. Nevertheless, Ronna and Paul immediately demonstrated their upscale tastes and affinity for elephants. Having reserved judgment on the near full-scale tuskers, Paul purchased a silver elephant. Laura was the first one to finish, Rick took his place on a throne and napped, Anne dreamed of better ways to spend $3,000, Susie tried on the most expensive necklace in the joint, and Paul and Ronna accumulated frequent flyer miles--a pattern was established.

At the rug and crafts emporiums, and even the silver walla later in Jaisalmer, we first were treated to tea or other refreshments, and then presented an assortment of pricey finery in a demonstration area. A description of the handknotting, weaving, inlay, or other handwork was offered as merchandise was laid before us (no pressure). If you wandered off, a human video monitor would be nearby, offering any size, style, quality, and quantity that fit your taste or budget. Inevitably an overwhelming cornucopia of items were interesting, and lovely, and tempting. Paul was the team connoisseur across a broad spectrum of finery--bedspreads, carpets, textiles, clothing, and silver. Ronna looked stunning in her red sari and matching jewels. Susie bargained with gusto, fulfilling her laundry list of family orders, but Anne was the master negotiator, always willing to walk away unless her price was met. Laura was always first out, often with a delightful trinket in tow. Meanwhile, Rick viewed each shopping experience as a photo op, and was off somewhere taking pictures. Everyone enjoyed our many hours of shopping in their own special way – with a reward at the end. Anita and Prabha would have been very proud of our acquisitive accomplishments.