Malls vs. Bazaars

February 2nd

The group went to Triton Mall today. It was a very interesting experience. Triton Mall was very Americanized and quite frankly it seemed mundane. All the prices were set, the employees were constantly following and bothering us, security guards at every shop entrance and even the escalators were the same; I felt as if I was transported home and had left India.

I've grown fond of the constant energy and activity that help define the bazaars. Rather than walking into the stores, the bazaars are set up for people to walk up to and barter from there. If one store won't lower their price... go to the next store and buy the same thing for cheaper. There's nothing like being able to go to a street vendor, buy mysterious food, and hope that you don't get sick from it.