Think life is boring, and a routine is setting in? Take a break from the usual shopping haunts and do something adventurous. Cross over to the dark side of shopping, where odours are overpowering and bargains are as abundant as dust, and crows.
Pettah, or the area opposite the Fort railway station, can be thought of as one big department store. Whatever one's heart desires, it can be bought here.
Sports fan, or an admirer of "label" foot ware and t-shirts. Look no further. This is a territory where T shirts from brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma sell for just over Rs 400/-. Shoes are available ranging from Rs 1500/- upto a ceiling amount of Rs 3000/-. Want a pair of shades to go with the look? Spend Rs 500/- tops to get a matching pair.
It's a fruit paradise. Large stocks of bananas, pyramids of apples and oranges, and mountains of grapes sit right beside guavas the size of bricks. Although to be on the safe side, it's better to wait till you get home and wash the dust off before munching in.
Movie buff? Feel right at home. Street-side shops retail any DVD for a mere Rs 100/-. This is the ground where Spielberg, Tarentino or Chopra would commit instant suicide. Looking for that latest block buster which is not released yet, or that elusive 70's movie which everybody absolutely recommends you watch? Dig deep enough and spend enough time browsing through the 24-hour shops. Ah yes, 24-hours. See, these are not exactly shops, but small structures which are put up. This means there is no way to actually "close" the shop. So the vendors take turns in manning the shop on a shift basis for 24 hours.
It's not a place for the faint of heart. But if you're willing to haggle, and willing to explore, Pettah can provide you with bargains you never even thought of. And hidden under layers of fakes, are originals which can be bought at, well, fake prices.
Keep a bottle of water handy, and it's advisable not to take a camera. If you do, ask permission from the vendors before taking picture, and most of the time, they would happily oblige. Take cash, but not a lot of it. Be careful how much cash you pull out. And it would be a good idea to have some wet tissues or baby wipes to wipe away the layers of dust.
And don't forget to go to Shyam Bakers near the Private Bus Stand, and eat the famous Seeni Sambol bun. It's a must do. Have fun at this explosion of sight, sound and smell. Yes, smell !
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