UBUD MARKET

Well, eventually being a local does not always benefit when we live in Bali.
I wrote this post just to throw out my frustration for being treated as a second class in my own country and by my own people which the same blood group stream up and down on our vein.

Ubud Market (Courtesy of Google)

I stopped being negative long time ago when i stumbled on Buddha Teaching and when i start to value a lot the knowledge of equality on beings.

But yesterday, i was challenged to stay calm and cool when the vendors at Ubud Market treated me as if i didnt have as much money as the tourists to buy their things. I did a favor to a friend to buy her some souvenirs for her friends back home. As Ubud market is the closest market from my house, there was i walking along with i can say hundreds of tourists. I walked right behind a western couple when i saw every women who stood up in front of their stall trying to hand the stuffs that they sell. but once they saw my local face, they took off and offered the stuffs to the person behind me even when i gave sign that i am interesting to buy. well, i might have benefit of not being annoyed but how if i really need that stuff and it was happen over and over again.

well, to keep my positivity, after sometime, i finally come to a conclusion that they didn`t want to deal with local as they can`t rip us off like they always do to tourists.

And so, because i value honesty, i decide to write this post to warn you people out there who plan to visit Ubud and do some shopping.

Don`t let them rip you off by:

1. If you have plenty of time, do your shopping in Sukawati Market instead of UBUD market, as people there are more decent. However, they might offer you higher price than they offer to locals but try to bargain until half price. usually it works and more reasonable
2. If you have to do your shopping in UBUD market, don`t be too friendly, usually, friendly tourists are their target. When you like something, ask the price and bargain it to as much as reasonable price that you might think. if she said no, then leave it. If she thinks that she already gain profit she will call you back. Don`t worry, you will still can find the one alike at another vendors as they usually have the same suppliers.
3. As for your references, these are approximately range of price (all in IDR);

• Handmade sandals   : 30.000 - 50.000
• Dress                       : 60.000 - 80.000
• Silk Dress                : 150.000 - 200.000
• Beach Saroong        : 30.000 - 50.000
•  Small Souvenirs       : 5000 - 30.000

And the most important things is DON`T hate them, they are just trying to make a living. You are     luckier than them that it is good to share in a reasonable way. Sometimes, you just find a vendor who can steal your heart with their friendliness and you can feel their warm energy and their good heart (you can tell the difference, I CAN), then just feel free to leave a dollar or two chance for them, God will return it to you exponentially :)

Happy  Shopping....