Posts Tagged ‘Shopping’

Qingdao with Bonnie

My schedule has final began to open up! As I no longer have Monday classes I decided to take advantage and stay in Qingdao for an extended weekend. Bonnie works weekends and has never been able to join us in Qingdao for fun or shopping. So when my Monday’s opened up I promptly invited her along. I wanted to get all my gift shopping done and invited her to join me at JiMo!

 

How can it be so cold when it is this sunny? Will someone please explain this to me!

How can it be so cold when it is this sunny? Will someone please explain this to me!

I met Bonnie at the train station at 9 and the day began!  We stopped by the beach for a quick walk.

Bonnie got some pictures of locals taking a morning dip. It must have been at least 8* outside, luckily the wind was dead that day. But all the same there they were in speedos and bathing suits plunging into the water and doing laps. I will never understand the Chinese and their health. It just seems so contradictory if you ask me. Freezing water = Good health, nope just don’t see it.

Off to JiMo it was. Ms Jane met us there to help with the pearl shopping. I’m learning quite a lot from the Pearl Expert Ms Jane. There are two stalls we go to, Nina who does only top quality original pieces and then the less expensive woman on the corner for earrings and play pearls.

Here are my spoils, this is just the beginning. Even after all my purchases I don’t come close to the other gals. We joke that Ms. Jane single handily keeps the JiMo pearl Market open, but it is probably true!

a Nina orignial my big splurge to remember Qingdao.

a Nina original my big splurge to remember Qingdao.

 

I should never have tried this one on. Once I did I was a goner. I fell in love and well I’ve learned my lesson.

 

This is my Qingdao piece and it is an original, my first original piece of Jewelry, I’d better be careful I’m getting too use to tailors and personal jewelers, haha.

 

 

 

Opera pearls!

Choker pearls!

 

 

Also from Nina a set of Choker pearls.

The pearls here are all freshwater pearls and with Jane selecting top quality specimens.

 

 

 

Opera pearls!

Rope pearls!

 

From the corner counter I got a 50 inch strand. Oh so much fun. I just love the sound of pearls.

Side note: to test if a pearl is real you rub it against your teeth, if it is gritty in texture it is real.

 

 

Dinosaur Egg pearls

Dinosaur Egg pearls

 

 

The irregular pearls are just as intriguing to me. I’ve dubbed these Dinosaur Egg pearls, they are not quite Baroque.

I love the metallic blues and lavenders.

 

These of course are just the splurges for me, I don’t want to spoil gifts for others. I differently supported the Pearl Market, probably paid for the days electricity.

 

On to scrolls. I have fallen in love with Chinese Scrolls. It took some hunting but we did it. A shop in the bottom basement in the back. I saw the seasons set and just fell in love. The Chinese love the Seasons Series and I love the monochromatic landscape.

 

Winter

Winter

Spring

Spring

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Autumn

Mounted on Silk

Mounted on Silk

 
 
 
 
 
 
They are all mounted on a silk scroll. 4.5ft x 1ft
 
 
After bartering I purchased the series for Y280. I was thrilled at Y70 each. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After a long morning shopping we headed back to the university for a break. On the bus ride home we were both caught off guard by the following sign.
Who exactly is this directed at if it is translated into English?

Who exactly is this directed at if it is translated into English?

On our way back to the train station we stopped at the DVD store. I guess by now I shouldn’t be so surprised at the sight of foreigners but it still caught me off guard when an entire Aussie family walked in.
 
One last stop in Qingdao Western food. I took Bonnie to The Diner but to our horror it was closed fortunately there was an English sign directing you to the American Coffee shop next door which takes over the menu on Mondays. I had a fabulous Pesto Pasta and Bonnie had the Salmon Pasta. Pasta the food of the gods.
 
We splurged and took a cab back to the station and joined the mob waiting to board the train. We found our seats and much to our relief we scared off the only other occupant off our both by just being foreigners. At times I really feel like a leper with the way people avoid sitting next t0 you.
 
Now for the proudest moment of my day even over all my great bargaining, I used the toilet on the train! Yes, I do realize how sad that line is for a 22 year old to say but really it is a true sense of accomplishment for me when I successfully use a squatty potty. Please do not ask me to explain the successful part.
 
At least now I am confident I will be able to make the trip to Harbin, the inability to use a squatty was going to be a real thorn in the side for the upcoming 25 hour train trip. But now I know I can do it!
 

Ji Mo Market!

I’m learning how to bargain. Katie is quite the teacher. Ji Mo is a permanent indoor swap-meet on serious steroids and in Qingdao the best place to buy knock-offs. Amazing knock-offs I might add. I’ve never been a shopper really and to be honest I can only take Ji Mo in small doses. I appriciate pricetags and straight forward prices but that is not Ji Mo. I always have to be reminded that Chinese love to barter it is in their blood which is not really a western concept.  

My purchases:

Hair Clip, I purchased hoping to use for a shrug I brought with me.

Hair Clip, I purchased hoping to use for a shrug I brought with me.

Versace perfume

Versace perfume

 

Hermes-Paris Tote

Hermes-Paris Tote

North Fake Backpack
North Fake Backpack
 

JiMo is a small goods market on Steriods there are four levels two above ground and two basement levels. If Victoria was serious it was a bomb shelter but I think she was just using that as an expression.

In front of JiMo - Jade dealers

In front of JiMo - Jade dealers

The Jade dealers was a special event usually it is just an open plaza.  
Entrance to shoppers Disneyland

Entrance to shoppers Disneyland

Spectacular Jade Sculpture - Can someone please explain how you get this piece home once you buy it.

Spectacular Jade Sculpture - Can someone please explain how you get this piece home once you buy it.