Hands-On Explorer Trip Blog - National Geographic Kids

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Friday, May 29, 2009
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Grace K

"Senorita, senorita. Mira, mira! Compra?" " Little girl, little girl, look, look! You buy?" This is what I hear on the streets when we are walking. There are many street vendors on every corner. Mostly, they are selling things like Peruvian hats, shawls, blankets, and scarves. The men tend to sell paintings, carved gourds, and tour books. I even saw a couple of them selling memory cards for your camera!

When we came out of the airport, the vendors approached us rather quickly, because they knew that they would only get a limited amount of time to make a sale. They followed me to the bus, and even start tapping on the window to get my attention! At other markets, you could barter for the goods that you wanted for a lower price. When ever I bought something from a vendor, I always bartered. It was kind of like a game. I would start to low, they would start to high, and we would always end up somewhere in the middle. I wanted a necklace from a vendor on one of the stops before we went to Machu Picchu. She wanted five sols for it. That is the currency here in Peru. I thought that maybe I could get for lower, so I asked for about two sols. The lady agreed after a very short time, and I ended up subtracting three sols from the original price.
Some vendors aren't selling anything but the privilege to take a picture of them in their traditional clothing. "Senorita, senorita!!!! Un foto? Un propina, por favor." Propina means tip, which you are expected to give them after you take their picture. I gave them a sol. I was excited to take that picture. How many other times are you ever going to walk around and see someone all dressed up in authentic clothing from Peru? The clothes they wear are really colorful. Some mothers have a baby in a sack on their back. The skirts are extremely intricate with vines, flowers, and leaves. Others can have llamas with them. The llamas can have really colorful yarn tied on to their ropes that people lead them with.

Photo: A woman with a llama






















I must say, shopping from vendors on the streets of Peru is VERY different than an American Wal-Mart or Target!!!

3 Comments

Cool! Another bartering experience! My dad loves to barter when he goes to fairs and 'shows' (the 'shows' that sell things). He has already taught me a lot about the 'art' of bartering. I even tried is a few times at the 'shows' and I did it! I got what I wanted for a lower price. I completely agree with you. It is soooooo different from regular shopping. Bartering must have been an awesome experience!

What a great picture, Grace! -- Rebecca's mom

Cool! I had gotten the first comment! I'm going to work on my 2009-2010 HOEC entry since it may possibly be my last chance to enter. I hope I win!

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