The process of buying souvenirs and other things in the market place by Najla

• what was it like and what did we buy?

Visiting the market place was a great experience for observing our performance in Varanasi. The two marketplaces we visited had some sort of different environments. The first one was on the front road where there were shops on both sides of the road. The other one was down in a narrow alley. Based on my observations, we started to buy in the alley marketplace and I believe this happened because it was our first time to get exposed to the shopping life in Varanasi. Thus, we needed more time to observe around and get some sense of the flow. I noticed that shopping in Varanasi is different than any other place. The sellers have specific techniques used to attract shoppers. What was really interesting was that sellers are the ones who start to talk and engage with the shoppers. For example, whenever I touch an item in the marketplace, the owner or the seller in the shop without asking him starts to talk to me about the object and its price. This was surprising and critical because it was really hard to stop the guy from talking and as you want him to stop, he starts to deepen his words as a way to attract shoppers. I believe that sellers in Varanasi are smart as they have magic in letting the shopper to get attracted to their shops.

Another observation I observed was that as soon we went to the market place in the alley. The group felt more comfortable to spread and what might make us comfortable is that the place is narrower. I believe is that the existence of more objects and things in the alley marketplace helped us to find our way by remembering the objects in the place where the group will meet again. Moreover, as we separated, I noticed that fewer people are heading to the same shop or place. As I was shopping, I found out that people in the group brought different things; this shows the different and unique styles of each person. It was rare to see two persons from the group buying the same thing. Even if two persons bought the same thing, I realized it is used differently by them. For example, Bunny and Daniel bought the bowl but I only saw Bunny using it to make sounds. Thus, I thought that Daniel might use this bowl as part of his souvenir collection or he will gift it to someone.

After I bought the scarves, a person from another shop asked me for the price of the scarves and also asked me to come to his shop to give a cheaper price for the same scarves. I asked by myself what would be the benefit or advantage I will have when I will buy the same scarf again but with a cheaper price. Why is the guy want me to buy the same scarf again? This is really triggered my thoughts. I started to imagine how my conversation will continue if I positively responded to him.

Another observation I observed was that bargaining was one of the techniques used to make the price cheaper; I really enjoyed especially when I went to the scarf shop. My physical appearance helped me to bargain more; what was so funny is that I got an advantage of my mask and my Indian English accent to have a cheaper price. Another thing I observed with bargaining in the market place is the sellers try to engage more with the shopper; they try to get into a conversation with you by asking you about your country of origin and etc. I really enjoyed how some sellers try to connect some of their objects and products to you. They are trying to make you get connected to the object by talking about its history or by associating the object with you. They are trying to make you feel the object. This was interesting because it is hard to get connected to the object because simply, each human being is unique. The style differs and thus, not any object the seller holds will be bought by the shopper because sometimes, the shopper has his eyes on something else hidden inside.

Visiting the market place was a great experience to explore performativity…

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A search for antiques

Varanasi lies not only with its religiosity but also in its small busy streets lined with shops. It seems that a considerable amount of locals are sellers for a living. Prepare for an assault on the senses with narrow alleyways, and busy locals going about their everyday lives – pedestrians, cycles, motorbikes, rickshaws. Through the maze of paths you can peek inside the shops and see fine silk and colorful fabrics, remarkably good wood-work, shawls, ready-made garments, shoes, beads and bracelets. Tibetan bowls. Toys made in China. Statues of all the gods you can think of.

However, if you’re prepared to brave all of this you’re rewarded with a unique insight into the life of the hectic underneath of this city. My search of antiques in the market was very difficult, as every shop had those ‘souvenir-type’ of objects. However, at some point, I found myself in the back storage room of a shop with tons of  30–year-old gods sculptures and jewellery. I ended up having a 20-minute conversation with the shopkeeper on how his shop caught fire last month and how he was so close to lose all the artefacts and his future plans about including his shop in a tour in Europe next summer. He asked me for advice concerning the objects he should bring there for selling. They even wanted to make some tea and didn’t treat me like the average white tourist that would be fooled in a bazaar. I found that discussion so inspiring and insightful.

by Laura

My experience in the Varanasi Market 

Markets always seemed to be interesting and energetically strong places for me. Crowds of people, searching for «memories» and the merchants for whom market is a whole life. The rush with its beautiful, sparkling goods on the counters, quick talks with sellers, the given choices and decisions what and where to buy. Everything reminds me directly of performance, a fairytale place with its mysterious atmosphere.

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On the wave of euphoria I always find the majority of the goods very beautiful, valuable and extremely useful. That’s why his time I tried to focus on buying one special thing, which would remind me of India. I choose the bracelet according to my style, an accessory which is inherent to Indian girls. I spent all my time going from one shop to another, comparing the quality and prices. While walking through I needed to remember about the time we had to meet at and this made me a kind nervous. This is the reason I usually go shopping alone: no one rushes me and I do not bother anyone. Moreover, the constant invitations from different sellers «to visit their shop» confuse me a lot. I think while following the sellers people often lose their minds and buy undesirable stuff and often regret afterwards. Nevertheless, I enjoy visiting markets and the one in Varanasi is special, full of Indian spirit and it brought me a lot of pleasure exploring this place!

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By Stalina