Thursday, January 17

I wonder if I lived in India in a previous life?

Why? Well, because I had a great encounter today. Actually, it was two encounters. Today, I had decided to explore the world outside the hotel portal. At least take a few steps and let it all sink in. But as soon as I took a step, it happened as feared: I was approached. But I really didn't need a taxi for just a few steps. Smile. So, continuing with the story: according to the experienced shoppers, the cheaper shops are on the left because they are located in a dead-end street. They have fewer walk-in customers compared to the ones on the main street. So, I went left and after a few seconds, I was already in front of the tailoring shop. Since I had a sample of trousers with me (wow, I'm always so well-prepared! Phew!), I went straight into the shop where two men were busy with the sewing machines. They turned on the ceiling fan and instantly there was light. All of this is turned off when there are no customers. That's what I call environmentally friendly! Hihi. I know some places in Switzerland where they leave the artificial trees in front of their hotels illuminated day and night for 365 days! (Greetings to Markus. Smile). So, I started the process of selecting fabric among the estimated 5000 rolls that were not printed with birds, elephants, or bright, colorful patterns. The selection became much smaller. I chose a few cool colors and then it came to the price. And something very strange happened. I was dreading the long and tough negotiations.... BUT! No. It seems that a new trend has emerged in this shop. No bargaining. Or at least very little and only with the remark (and I'm sure this is not a trick) that they don't like bargaining. What? Customers wanting to negotiate the prices are "not liked"?! Wow! This opens up new perspectives for me. At least when it comes to shopping! lol
I can pick up my order in 2-3 days (what kind of time estimate is that! But let it be. After all, not everything can change in India! hihi) So, I say goodbye to the three men, all named Kumar and each with a first name as well. The salesman tells me that I am a very calm and relaxed person. He likes that. I'm not as stressed as many others. Okay. That's a compliment! THANK YOU Kumar.

A few steps further, I'm drawn into a shop. What kind of shop do you think it is? - A Buddha shop, of course! Well, they do have Buddhas, but there are also hundreds of other figurines. Gods and goddesses of all sizes and especially all price ranges. Antique god statues about 8 centimeters tall for 600-900 euros! No joke. And they are neither made of gold nor crystal. But what makes a big difference is that they are antique. Some are over 100 years old. Ah, that really puts the pricing into perspective. Right at the entrance, there is a large Buddha (about 80 centimeters tall and wide) made of white stone (marble?). He just sold it today. To a Swiss lawyer from Zug. For 4300 euros. And this is not the first statue this gentleman has bought in the past few days. He waits until his final departure and then ships everything. (They are not very discreet when it comes to customer data. He even showed me the address because he couldn't remember the town anymore. So now I know exactly who and where those Ganesha figurines and others will be...)
A few seconds after entering, he asks me if I know my way around. I seem to have an idea... Um, no, not really. But I'm looking for 'Tara'. She caught my attention in the hotel shop and after consulting Aunt Google, I knew that I would be taking 'Tara' home with me. But from which shop and at what price! I look around the entire store and feel a bit like in paradise. I could also buy a whole shipload here. If only the budget allowed. The salesman pulls out some valuable and very special representations of Tara and other deities from under the table. Masterpieces. Medium-sized and up to 6000 euros. I confess my rather smaller budget to him and he immediately picks out 2 Taramantras for me from his shelf assortment on the walls. Then he realizes that one Tara is missing. The 'mother of all Buddhas' exists in 6 or 7 different representations and thus also 'effects' (or whatever you call it). He calls his brother. After about 15 minutes, his brother arrives with a beautiful Tara wrapped in a cloth. A tall man with a white beard and an absolutely stunning presence. A Sikh (Wikipedia: The Sikh religion does not adhere to religious dogmas, but aims to make religious wisdom usable and practical for everyday life.) His name is Luckyzen. We talk like old friends: about the snow in Switzerland (he receives daily pictures from people currently on vacation in Switzerland and was himself in Zurich 2 months ago) or he explains the different representations of Tara to me again and we laugh together for a few minutes.
I tell him about the many Buddhas I have at home and he asks me about my mantra. I don't have one. He quickly takes a 'Japa mala' (prayer beads similar to a rosary. It consists of 108 nut fruit beads), wraps it around my wrist, closes his eyes, recites a mantra, writes it on a piece of paper, unwinds it again, and hangs it around my neck. This is a gift. Wow. I feel like I'm in a different movie: so beautiful!
Then I have to decide between two beauties. Hmmm. I choose the one with finer details and a friendlier, more beautiful face. The price on the paper he hands me astonishes me. Much more expensive than in the hotel shop... gulp! I thank him for the offer but explain that it is not within my budget. Then he looks at me, closes his eyes, and asks for my offer. Oops. That would be a serious insult. I tell him that directly. He closes his eyes again and writes a different amount on the paper. Almost a third lower. And he doesn't write the zero. He draws it as a smiley and grins at me. That's a great offer. I shake his hand to make the purchase. He holds my hand firmly in his and says a prayer. It touches me deeply and will always stay in my memory.

Oh, and by the way 1: another shop, with the same attitude towards price negotiation (!), provides me with some souvenirs for my loved ones back home.

Oh, and by the way 2: in the morning, I naturally had my program with a massage and yoga. It really does me good and I really have to keep it up in Switzerland. It would be a shame if I let that slide!