Arabic Lessons...continued

Sanaa collected me in a hiyab (taxi) to go shopping in Bahri

As promised yesterday (please scroll down to read it, if you wish), I'm posting about my practical exercise in Arabic lessons. Tonight we're off to a very special dinner at a beautiful venue (post to follow) with the company General Manager, Issam. Of course, as I need a special outfit for this occassion, my tutor Sanaa promised to take me shopping. On Monday, instead of having classes at home, Sanaa collected me in a hiyab (taxi) to take me to the Bahri market, or as it's known locally: Souq Saad Gishra.

The entrances to the souq is filled with stalls selling cosmetics, toiletries and other personal items
Souq Saad Gishra is very similar to the Souq Arabi I posted about in February. Only one big difference: it was primarily a lady's clothing market. In the photo above a few baby items are visible
Sanaa inspects an outfit which we both liked

Each shop is a partitioned off from its neighbour. The clothes, shoes, handbags and jewellry hang on grids against the walls

Sanaa drove a hard bargain for my outfit.

Once I'd decided what I wanted, Sanaa told me to ask for the price in Arabic. The original price was SDG120/US$48. Then she began to bargain with the shopkeeper. She managed to get the price down to SDG100/US$40.

The hues and numbers of shoes boggles the mind

Buying the shoes was an experience all on its own! Hundreds of shoes in every style and colour are displayed on the walls. I made my choice very quickly (I always do) and sat down to try them on. Meanwhile, two young women were also trying on shoes there. The one asked me in English where I was from. I told her in Arabic that I come from South Africa. She insisted on speaking English because she said she wanted to practice the language. Sanaa told her that I would be replying in Arabic as I needed to practice as well. Everyone was happy with this arrangement! Oh, and the shopkeeper would not budge with his price no matter how much or long Sanaa haggled with him. The price was SDG30/US$12 and that was his final price...

Aren't my new shoes just tooo stunning?

The proprietor at the evening bag/purse stall, was very helpful and friendly

As we left the shoe shop, we turned into a shop which sells evening bags, purses, gold jewellry and cosmetics. Once again I made my choice very quickly and the shopkeeper kindly dropped the priced from SDG30/US$12 to SDG25/US$10. He was very friendly (as all Sudanese in the city are) and agreed to pose for a photo.

I had my complete outfit for the dinner tonight so we meandered through the souq "just looking" as women do.

Passing a shop with daywear, my eye fell on a beautiful dress and pant outfit. The shopkeeper emerged from the back of his shop and told Sanaa the price: SDG120. She haggled with him until he agreed on SDG60/US$24! As we were waiting for our taxi to return and collect us, the shopkeeper invited us inside where he offered us two plastic stools to sit on. His shop was airconditioned and when the soft drink vendors came by, he bought us each a soda. While we sat there, Sanaa encouraged me to ask him in Arabic the price of the items around us. Which I did.

Souq Saad Gishra was the most amazing "shopping mall" I have ever been to. Every type of womens' garments is available. Sudanese abayas, abisses and hijabs; traditional dresses and pants, evening wear, wedding outfits, t-shirts, camisoles, sleepwear and lingerie. I merely glanced at the latter and realised that you could buy any type of underwear there. Only thing is, the shopkeepers are all men ...

The hiyab brought me back to the apartment a little after midday. Final cost of the whole excursion (including travel) SDG275/US$119.60!

The shopping experience: priceless!