Silk Street Market  ·  秀水街

When you're at the Silk Street in Beijing, China, then you have to learn (or be) a good bargainer, as the prices may lower rapidly if you do bargain. Here's a tip: When you see something that you might like, then first look at the item and try to see if it is of good quality and workmanship. If it is of good quality, you first ask the seller how much the item is. Then, act ''surprised'' at the price and then tell the seller how much you think it's worth. If he/she says, ''no, that's too high,'' or '' no, the item doesn't come cheap,'' etc., then you walk away, and pretend to be ''not interested'' in the item. Usually, the seller will call you back, and a lower price usually is settled. My story: One day, when I went to the Silk Street, and I was coming down to the 1st floor, when I noticed many people crowding around this tall figure. I went closer for a better look, and that's when I noticed I was staring into the face of Shaq O'Neal and his bodyguards. The sellers and buyers crowded around me, and I even heard someone say, ''He has big shoes!'' when I passed by. But soon my time to relish that I had seen a celebrity was gone when Shaq and his bodyguard went to the second floor, leaving me in a state of shock, staring at the tall shadow go up on the escalator.