No I didn’t end up on a boat, but I did end up being dragged thru the Shanghai Rip-Off market stalls by a 20 something girl that spoke English – Oh yeah, forgot to tell you that my name has been changed to “Hey Lady”. I had been there before in 2004 so I thought I was wise in ways of the Rip-Off market. I was but that didn’t mean I could casually walk thru the market. It is so overwhelming (Hey lady, DVDs? Hey lady, look at my watches, hey lady, sunglasses?- Hey lady, North Face, Burberry jackets?- Hey lady, wallets?- hey lady, Gucci purses?) that I chose to blindly follow my ‘professional shopper’ around like a lost puppy for about 1 hour. Then I got my middle school teacher attitude and voice back and finally convinced her I had no money left. It was pitiful! (I lied….).
Don’t feel sorry for her. I am sure she picked up a profit or tip from some of the stalls she dragged me to. At her different ‘friends’ shops I got a North Face jacket, a Giorgio Armani shoulder bag, and a t-shirt. That’s when I ditched her and went on my own. I probably didn’t do any better or worse without her but at least I sort of got to look around a little more slowly. Be careful, if you stop too long at one stall the operator will really get ‘over enthused’. The stall operators are masters at bargaining, I am considering importing one of them for the next time I have to buy a car. They would even give Maria, Barbara, and Nicole (who I think are “master bargain hunting shoppers”) a run for their money. So come on over and test your skills against the best. Also bring friends, it is easier to go through the stalls in a pack.
The official name of Rip-Off Market in case you ever want to go is Xiagyang Lu Fushi Shichang (rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it?) If you start out from Hangzhou as I did you get up really early and take a 6 am wild ride on a renegade (not licensed) mini bus to the train station then get on the 7:17 am packed train to Shanghai. The train takes 2 hours and even has attendants that will sell you tea. (They keep the teapot in a bucket they carry around). After you get off you wait in line for a subway ticket. Get off at the South Shanxi Metro Stop, after that you don’t need directions because someone will grab you and drag you to their ‘friends’ stalls. Ditch them when you are feeling more confident and continue shopping. When you are finished, go across the street to the McDonalds because you are going to NEED something that will remind you a little of America. It’s very, very crowded – but be patient they have a card with pictures so you don’t have to say a word in Chinese to order your food. Also, this is one of the few places that have Coke Light!
After my shopping and lunch I spent the rest of the day at the Shanghai Museum. It’s a small museum by American standards but packed with really great exhibits such as Jade, bronze and furniture. (Paula, I think I can finally tell the difference between Qing and Ming dynasty furniture) I would put it on a DON’T MISS list for Shanghai. I spent the rest of the day there and caught the 6pm train and the 9:30 “night bus” home. (For all you Harry Potter fans the “night bus” didn’t have beds but the ride was just as thrilling). I arrived at my apartment door at 11p. It was a long tiring day but a great ‘adventure’.
ps. - I forgot to take my camera to Shanghai- so no new photos - I borrowed the above one from a web site. Don't worry I will go again and take lots of pictures.
