Bangladesh: Last Minute Shopping

As the day got closer to departure date, I was faced with two more tasks: first was to shop and the second to meet with Peachy.

I mentioned in the previous post that relatives in Barisal gifted me with money when we visited them. Tradition dictates that I spend it on jewelry for myself. I didn't touch the money until two days before departure because I wasn't keen on spending it on jewelry. I was thinking about buying clothes with it. But I wanted to avoid getting disowned by my SIL (joke) if I persist in breaking tradition, so I got her to take me shopping for....jewelry, what else.

Gold prices were sky high so I knew that the money wouldn't get anything worth keeping. Besides that I prefer silver than gold. I own more silver than gold jewelry. However past experiences have made me aware that not only are the silver jewelry in Bangladesh below standard (versus let's say Mexican silver jewelry), the selection is extremely limited. Apparently Bangladeshis don't care much for silver. For them it's gold or nothing. But not all can afford gold, especially at prices these inflated; so the next best thing is to get gold plated jewelry. The base metal is silver. They use a lot of gold in plating the metal that it's worth spending money.

Our destination was nearby Mouchouk Market. The proximity of the market to my SIL's place is not the only inducement, it is also filled with stuff I really like to take home.


View of traffic from overhead pedestrian bridge.

This is why I just love this market:





















My SIL has a PhD in bartering that I got more pieces than I thought I could afford. I wouldn't shop without her in Bangladesh.

The market is paradise for fabric lover.


When he saw me photographing the fabric across his stall, he called me and asked to have his picture taken and asked if I would post it on facebook.


This was the fabric I was photographing. It's an ornate fabric used for wedding sari.


Bangladesh being a Muslim country, you would only find male shopkeepers.

I could stay here all day browsing at the merchandise.









We also couldn't forget to take home Bangladeshi delicacy in the form of its sweets. These dessert items are made of milk and cane sugar and are seasoned with various spices. They are really delicious.





Finally I got to meet Peachy, who as I mentioned in the previous post is a Filipino expat and as of this writing is married to her Bangladeshi Prince. It was very nice to meet my first blog friend there.


Felt like I've known her forever.

And last but not the list, I got brave and had my hand done with henna. However because of time constraints, I managed to twist my SIL's arm to do it for me. She did a good job, methinks.



This ends my Bangladesh vacation/journey. Thank you for reminiscing it with me.

OUR WORLD TUESDAY.