Today we went to the pool and cooked like chicken on the grille in the heat. It seems that every day here is a "dog day" of summer.
Then we went shopping! Shopping in India is sooo different than anywhere else. You walk into a store and the people circle around you. One guy will introduce himself and ask what you are looking for. If you are not sure, he will start showing you this and that. If you say you want something in pink, he will start showing you everything in pink. He will have two people running around to get things in pink, while all the time explaining to you how beautiful the pink is on the pink thing he is currently showing you. If you say you want something more of a mauve, and he doesn't have it, well then he'll just dye it mauve and deliver it to your hotel room in an hour. What's that? You don't like the fringe on the pink thing either? Well then, he'll dye it mauve, cut off the fringe and hem it, THEN he will deliver it to your hotel room--in an hour. It was amazing!
Bob looked at shirts. There must have been two hundred shirts paraded in front of him. I turned around and there were two guys refolding all the shirts they had paraded out in front of Bob. Bob ended up buying two shirts from all the shirts marched out in front of him. It was incredible!
At first, we felt funny. Kind of guilty that we weren't interested in what so many people were trying to sell us. After a while, it became more comfortable, and you realized that this is how it is in India. This is just regular old customer service.
I have heard that there are shops in Mumbai that will send trunks of goods to your hotel room so that you can shop without leaving your room! Can you imagine? I would feel just like Scarlett O'Hara on her honeymoon with Rhett!
We bought jewelry, clothing and had raw silk dyed. We bought cashmere and wood carvings! We bought sari's and children's punjab suits!
I love, love, love shopping in India!
PS The rule of thumb for shopping in India is that anyplace air conditioned you cannot bargain, non-air conditioned you should barter, starting at 25% the initial price asked and usually will end up half off.
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7 comments:
Lisa,
It's amazing just reading about your trip - I can only imagine what it's like actually being there! It sounds like you're doing really well stimming - that's great! Sounds like you're doing well shopping, too!!!! :) I can't wait to hear how the lasics surgery goes.
Did the doctor tell you how many surrogate babies had actually been born from the cycles? that would be interesting to know. Do you know if you'll have to do DNA testing before you leave? We were hoping to do a surrogate cycle with embryos that have been donated to us, but the lack of DNA match between either parent seems to be an issue.
I'm really enjoying reading all of the details - thanks, so much, for sharing!!!!
Keeping everything crossed for you
:) Lori
Hi Lori,
First of all, bringing frozen embryos to India can be extremely risky. Getting DNA through customs can be tough. We discussed this with our doctor at Cornell and were pretty much shut down. Too much red tape.
There is a great website Oneinsix.com that has a FAQ section which covers a lot of questions about donor eggs and such. I think that will answer more of your questions.
DNA testing is performed on the baby at birth and that is what will determine parentage for us. Your case would be different from ours, but not impossible, I believe.
I will ask Dr. Kaushal how many surrogacies ended with babies...
Thanks for your support!
Lisa
Lisa,
Thanks, for the info. I think we're leaning more towards doing a donor egg/surrogate cycle. I've run into the same red tape with the frozen embryos. I emailed rotunda before I saw your response. Last year 7 out of the 15 surrogate cycles went to term with a pregnancy. They're running about 50% success rates. Looking forward to seeing your stats added to that number!!!
It sounds like you guys are having an amazing vacation along with that "minor detail" of getting pg!
Enjoy!
Lori
Hi Lisa,
What made you decide on Rotunda. I am on the wait list for the clinic in Anand (Oprah episode). They seem the be less expensive (Approx 12,000.) I was wondering if it was the location that makes it cheaper??? I would love your imput, as I am following your blogs everyday!!! BYW, which hotel is it that you have on your pictures (the very grand looking one???) and how much are the hotels there??
Hi Lisa,
Not sure what just happened to my post...in any case.
Let us know how you are, have everything crossed for you and your DH.
Larisa
Lisa and Bob,
I just love following your blog. I need to know how you made out after
your lasic and if all is well with you both. Please let me know.
Luv Ya
Mom
Guys,
Hope everything is going well.
Larisa
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