We anchored right at this silver smith shop. As soon as we’re off the gangway, were met with multiple ladies with basket of jewelry to sell. One of them even so far to ask my name and is keeping an eye on me.
Rows of chairs are in the small front yard for us. An owner or worker gave briefing/intro to different kinds of materials that made with silver, and how to distinguish fake. Oddly enough, he spent lengthy time talking about deposits (which I consider the standard practice), and that friends and relatives are the worst customers because they refuse or the shops reluctant in asking for a deposit but then they change their mind, and the shop is stuck with the order.
After the silver smith shop, we were bused to Vipassana Dhurak Buddhist Centre, and there they’re again, with the basket of jewelry! Apparently, they knew our literary and get there on their scooter or ferried by their husbands… After we returned to our ship, which’s anchored by the silver smith shop, yes, they’re back there before we did.
I got a pair of 925 earring at $35 inside the shop.
Never heard of silk from Cambodia. But what do I know? Either a catered created spot/event for tourism, or their traditional silk making is just mighty…
A colorful boat sailing by @ Khsach Kandal – Kaoh Oknha Tei with Phnom Penh in the horizon.
It’s a nicely choreographed operation. The young guide speaks fluently and effortlessly about how the silk is made, from the silk worm to weaving, and the final products, which is available to purchase.
They take Visa credit cards. The silk scarfs are but too busy for my taste, instead I purchased two cotton scarfs, could use them as table runners too -:)
We started by watching a short video, about 8 minutes long, giving an overview of Thailand’s place in the world of gem stone. Neat, clean display, and staff is helpful, not pushy, at least the lady who follows me around and only steps forward when I have a question, thank you.
Deodoro da Fonseca (1827-92), a military officer turned the first president of Brazil in 1889. The equestrian statue of him was created in 1937, by the Brazilian sculptor Modestino Canto (1889 – 1967).
Near by is a Sunday market that sells produces, foods, second hand goods …
… A Chinese woman is picking … I consider this a selfish and terrible habit 缺德的陋习, and always wonder what do these pickers think:
that the rest of us should buy her leftover?
… if everyone is like her, she in fact, is buying the left over of other pickers like her
At the Market, did I realize Rio (or Brazil, in general?) is a cashless city/country, which fits me just fine. For the past few years, the US based credit cards don’t even ask us to register when traveling abroad: just go and we’ll handle the rest (might be the chip on the cards?) – which is all the more convenient. From restaurants to small vendors with a few water bottles to sell, they accept credit card, mostly Visa and or MasterCard. Every road and corner there are multiple street vendors, some with push cart some with a backpack, selling cold beverages – can cafés survive the competition, or some the street vendors are part of the physical establishment near by? From the second day on, we don’t even bother to bring our water bottle: fresh coconut and cold drinks are so readily available at your finger tip. 喜欢信用卡的通行度. 满大街卖冰/水的小贩们 人手一个收银机. 在这个背后 不知道信用卡公司的努力… 小咖啡店的挣扎. 相比之下 德国🇩🇪小商店/街市都还是现金… 😜 对我这种从来不换当地货币的懒人来说 非常方便.
What’s the back story: how and what did credit card companies do to have such wide usage in a third world country (a/c is NOT guaranteed in shops …), and how and what do stores/cafés do to win the competition?
From our hotel in Centro, it’s a short and easy walk to PraçaParis, and a huge market is next to it, selling produces, foods, second hand goods … After the long walk, we turned away to Escadaria Selarón.
Santos Dumont Airport SDU is the 2nd airport in Rio de Janeiro, named after Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont (1873–1932). It opened in 1973; operates by Infraero since 1986.
Bossa Nova Mall is connected to it, that hosts many shops, eateries, Xian, WeWork, and a hotel. When we got there at 7:30pm for dinner, it was relatively calm. By the time we were leaving around 9:45, it came to live with music and crowds.
An average mall. Shopkeepers are not aggressive, a little indifference. A young womam who was selling scarfs lied about the material – my fault, didn’t read the labels closely – I do trust people tho. My bad.
Qipao Gallery 人间烟火
570 Yongjia Lu, Xuhui Qu Shanghai, China
The custom made studio is spacious, inside Brownstone where they hold block brunch party. Nothing really catches my fancy, considering their price tags, hovering ￥5,000 (US$700+). They’ve a wine refrigerator and tea on the table but we are offered neither.
Rows of chairs are in the small front yard for us. An owner or worker gave briefing/intro to different kinds of materials that made with silver, and how to distinguish fake. Oddly enough, he spent lengthy time talking about deposits (which I consider the standard practice), and that friends and relatives are the worst customers because they refuse or the shops reluctant in asking for a deposit but then they change their mind, and the shop is stuck with the order.
