July 20, 2006
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diary | day 1
metropolitan
asia is truly a "gou wu tian tang" (consumer heaven). it's so difficult
not to get sucked up in the whirlwind of "gawd i must buy it now
otherwise i'll regret cuz i can't get this shizznit in the
states"...but luckily, as a seasoned veteran of the shopping sandtraps
i've come up with a couple of tips for those of you venturing out into
the battlefield for the first time.1. clothes that fit you in
asia will mysteriously shrink upon importation into the states, so it's
better to swallow the pride and go for a couple of sizes bigger than
you usually squish into.
2. frilly edges and ribbons will look
"delicate" and "ornate" in asian mirrors, but mysteriously look awful
in American mirrors. back on the boat you go!
3. aim for those clothes that the store owners tell you are really out of style. in 6 months they'll be in style here.
4.
don't get too upset if you lose a haggling war...rethinking monetary
amounts in terms of american currency, calculated in equivalent number
of Starbucks Frappucinos makes things all better.***
that being said, i did escape this time with some good booty and only a couple of "what the hell was i thinking" merchandise.
a black and white bubble-hem dress, for example, that i saw for $72 at
Zara SF went for about $13...the red dress i got practically for free
because out of nowhere popped a great-uncle who owns a clothing shop in
san lien.
and these are 100NT skirts...what a ridiculous deal!
last but not least, the food is just...better. case en point, a wonderful fusion restaurant we visited in yi lan (who knew?? fusion restaurants have invaded asia too!)
voila, lobster salad cups in orange shell...
this is an apple vinegar drink with sugar streaks. yes, i know it sounds narsty, but it was so yummy...
and this, ladies and gentlemen, is what shabu shabu should be all about.
:so what are you waiting for?? go!
***
on
the flipside, can someone who can read japanese tell me what this sign
says?? i was walking around downtown osaka when our tour guide warned
me not to talk to handsome guys in suits...apparently the overly
friendly ones tend to be gigolos making rounds. i can't read japanese
so when i saw this sign, naturally assumed...but come on, $30USD is...a
little cheap??
Comments (7)
something about first host experience being 30 bucks... i can't see the fine print after it, which is probably where they get you anyway... it's probably just an entry fee. a cover, if you will, and the last line says that they are always looking to hire hosts... 400000Yen or more.... Damn me and my limited knowledge of japanese >_<
-anthony
Oh my gosh.. I love your polka dot dress!
very very cute!
OHHhhhhhhhh, those dress look really nice! Could you tell me where you got them from?
Makes me really wanna visit in August!
*drool*
lol it was super fun running into you at ximen! i was buying clothes for the sake of buying cheap clothes too...i didn't even really care if they fit well...as long as it looks cute enough to hang on the hanger and be stared at all day... ^____^
yay for pictures!
omg, i can't believe those skirts on 100NT! :P
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