India Sketch Journal 2013 July 12 2013 by Meera Rao
A cart by the road side, a few fruits or vegetables and a whole day to sell them makes one a shopkeeper. They tout the freshness and how special the produce is by mentioning where its from. Absence of price tags means changing prices depending on the customer -- regulars get a break while novices and others are an opportunity to make a bigger profit :) But it is a hard life and as the poses of the vendors show they catch a nap or rest any which way they can.
India Sketch Journal 2013 July 11 2013 by Meera Rao
Lots of tropical vegetables are now both grown or available here in the USA but as I mentioned before something about the tropical soil and weather, they definitely taste different (better!) in the tropics. I remember when growing up teasing my grandmother when sighed as to how vegetables from certain villages tasted better than others and it is ironic that now I have come to the same conclusion !
India Sketch Journal 2013 age 18 July 11-12 2013 by Meera Rao
Price is what you pay
Value is what you get
~Warren Buffett~
8 comments:
What a great post Meera! The paintings are so expressive and your story about the pricing games is precious. I'm always leery when I don't see a price tag, and I'm pretty sure I get charged more than others, but I don't mind at all, it IS a hard life to sell your wares like that. And paying for something the seller has made or grown with their own hands, is far better than just giving it to them out of charity.
Lovely sketch of the vendor couple with their gaadi, the gaadivallahs when they push their carts on the road, it is really hard for them on the uneven Indian roads, I never bargain with them and it is worth for their hard work, they usually leave very early in the morning to get their stuff from markets.
Love the sketches and the text, so true what your grandmother said , taste does depend on the soil and climate :-) Have a nice weekend.
Thank you Katherine:) I have proof that I always pay more !!!! But then my sentiments are like yours and so far paying a little extra hasn't been a hardship - may be I will mind it if it hurts my pocket book more !
Padmaja, so true! I don't bargain too as I lived and shopped in the west most of my adult life :) I have not mastered the fine art of bargaining and the few times I tried, I made a fool of myself;)
Thanks Jane - glad to know you agree too! Actually a friend of mine insists that along with soil and climate the mental state of the cook changes the taste of the food ;)
Hi, Meera, Oh, so colourful and beautiful drawings! Yes, India has very vivid and many colours like you captured. The quote makes me smile. You have to come to next Parramasala to sketch them together and with me.
Best wishes, Sadami
Thanks Sadami:) glad to note our observations :) I would love to come to Parramasala and sketch with you -what an honor ! I will let you know when I am ready for my trip to Australia : - it's on my bucket list !
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