Apropos of Nothing

For 95USD, I bought 4 Samsonite backpacks (for laptop), 3 North Face backpacks (2 big, 1 small) and a Roxy carry-on luggage (with wheels). The cost of the bags ranges from USD10 to USD15.

There is a bag shop nearby Palace Hotel but the prices in Ben Thanh cannot be beat. I walked from Palace to the Tourist shop along Le Loi (perpendicular to Opera House), had some money changed (with service charge!) and looked at the map. I am terrible at estimating distances but I was enthusiastic enough to try walking to Ben Thanh.

There are amazing shops along Le Loi — particularly the embroidery paintings and lacquer paintings. It’s a good thing I took the walk because I got to see the really good stuff before making it to Ben Thanh. Of course, there are also embroidery paintings in Ben Thanh BUT they look like some kid’s project. Terrible. So considering the quality — I’ll still buy from the shops.

When I got to Ben Thanh — around 4-5 blocks away, I just went around taking pictures and asking for prizes and initial haggling. In the clothes section, two women grabbed (as in two women pulling my arm) to go into their shop. I keep saying no and they were eloquently jibbering (am sure) about how I must buy from them (I think). I was partly amused but a bit scared too (they were  strong!). I went through the clothes section without glancing at any of the stalls.

Found myself in the fresh produce market and clicked away at all the amazing produce. Had a sprite and a cold coconut milk-based concoction — with pretty pink pearls on it. My feet were complaining already so I took my time and exchanged smiles with the proprietor of the next stall as she prepares Pho.

I figured out by then that Ben Thanh is not very large in area so I knew that I am almost completing my rounds.

And there, on the final corner I found a couple of stalls selling lacquerware (bought bowls with the holes for chopsticks and Mama’s doll) and around 3 stalls selling bags. Haggled for northface bags first and when she gave me good price — I went bag crazy. At the end, we were both happy. She gave me a kipling monkey for free!

Burdened with the bags, I did not go back anymore to the Pho lady and took the taxi back to the hotel. All of these in less than 2 hours.