Went to the Bazaar today.
What's the Bazaar? Well, whether as part of the local re-development, or as a way to help GI's part with their cash, the military has set up a local flea market. Each Saturday (with a few exceptions, including after we were attacked and before the election), the Afghans set up shop outside the base. The military posts heavy guards surrounding the area, and then...
... we go shopping. We're bused to the post fence. We walk through a long fence reminiscient of prisons, and poof! We're outside the wire. Surrounded by tanks, but outside. And then, we're shopping.
Now, this is NO place to expect to find great deals. Jewelry is sold - but I didn't see any real stones. The best counterfeit watches you can find. DVD's. Lots of them, most are of movies that aren't even out on DVD yet - they're copies of recordings taken in theaters. Clever, poor quality, and only $1. Soldiers eat these deals up.
Genuine Persian rugs...
And of course, it all comes with the vendor's "Guarantee". Not sure how to cash in on a guarantee like that, but...
It's all about haggling. Which I love. It's a game. You don't really know who's getting the deal. If he starts at $60, and you walk out after paying $25... did you get the great deal??? Or was the vendor happy if you only paid $10? Great fun.
I always work Saturdays, so never got to go... but, since I go on R&R in SEVEN DAYS, I was able to beg off for the chance to go.
Quite the experience... and I got some goodies (genuine, imitation fakes, I'm sure).
3 comments:
So, what language are you haggling in? English, Arabic, Afghani??? Is there an Afhani language? I'm sure "all sales are final".
Hooray! You're back. Glad to see you again. Whaddjah get me?
Glad you got to the bazaar. Now, before you go meet the Maltese Falcon, bring us up to date on the last month's worth of news and events at Camp Hotspot.
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