Ladies trip to the gold souk and brass shop

Yesterday, I was invited to go to the gold souks with some friends.  The jewelry was beautiful and very elaborate.  I had decided that I would not buy anything this trip, that I should wait until I learned a little more about the various shops, etc.  I got my first lessons in bargaining.  When I lived in Belgium, I had a little experience with bargaining at the brocante markets.  But these ladies in Yanbu seem to be masters at it.  One lady, who will be leaving soon, was buying jewelry to bring back to her nieces.  They had bracelets that you could buy charms to put on, like camels, palm trees, Saudi coffee pots, etc.  When my friend would counter the shop keepers offer, the shopkeeper would say, "Sister.....I can't do that."  When he would walk off, she would call him back saying "Friend, friend, come back."  The rest of us went off to other shops and came back probably 45 minutes later and they were still bargaining!  Finally, she got him to reduce the price of the purchase of 4 bracelets by about $500!  When we went into the brass shop, I found two very cute candle holders that would hold a small votive candle.  There were cutouts on the outside of camels and palm trees where the light shines through.  They were priced at 55 riyals each.  My friends said that I must negotiate, but this shopkeeper only negotiated a little, that I should try to get them for 100 riyals, but ask for 80.  I did and we settled on 90.  My negotiation lasted for 30 seconds and that was plenty enough for me! 

Later we went to the abaya shop.  The variety of abayas was amazing!  Not just the black ones, but colorful ones that I guess are worn inside the home or at private family parties.  Two of the ladies of our group needed another abaya and were hesitant to negotiate too much, but we had another master negotiator with us.  She negotiates with an adorable smile and I don't think that the shopkeepers can resist her.  She had them chuckling even though I don't think they spoke much English.  Of course, she got them to come down near her price.  This will take a LOT of practice or observing for me.

Well, I am off on my first trip on the shuttle bus to the mall with a lady from the Netherlands.  I have been trying to find someone to go with me the first time.  The Exxon ladies have drivers so they don't have to worry about taking the bus.  I am afraid of doing it the first time by myself, in case I get left behind or dropped off at the wrong place etc.  Wish me luck!