Pearls And Beauty

• Today we ventured to what are known as the Pearl Markets. There is an old and a new building that are right next to each other. Cat and Tony, who have been here for 2 years, showed us around, including providing a super-useful chart that broke everything down by which shops were on each level, what the shops offered, and where we could/couldn't bargain prices on. The old market (pictured above) is more touristy (as you might have guessed with the Pizza Hut logo in plain view...there is also a McDonald's, a Starbucks, and a DQ here!). In here, the sales people are very vocal and constantly asking if you want to buy their products. In this market, haggling for prices is expected. We've been told you start at 10% of the sales person's initial price. Emily tried this with some toys she was hoping to buy for school but it didn't quite work to get the price she was hoping for (though the lady did come down quite a bit).
• The new market is one with secret "knock knock" shops that you'd walk right past if you didn't know they existed (this is where Cat's detailed document came in handy). Inside the knock knock shops is where you'll find knock-off shoes, handbags, watches, electronics, etc. Some of the shops were closed and but we got to see a lot of them. The secret shops are buried within other shops, with more traditional Chinese products and gifts (jade, red woven items, Buddha statues, etc.) We also found a few funny things for sale...