Subject: [79attendees] Silk Market Experience and Plans

From: Ray Pelletier <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 02:37:52 -0500

Wife and 2 others went to Silk Market.  Her report:

We bought our pearls in the silk market, the original price was 2750 RMB per strand, she asked about 1200, special morning price was 800 RMB, we paid about 546 RMB for 10 strands or about 55 RMB per strand. She strung them as we watched and put the clasps on that we wanted, she double knotted between each pearl on silk strands. 

They arranged for a taxi through the concierge. The car is a black one that looks just like  the ones in front of the hotel, the driver is a good driver, no close calls, no speeding, no arguing, took the agreed upon fee after we got back today.  Our driver was great, he did exactly what we asked, waited for us, opened doors, was willing to put packages in the trunk, stayed with the car and our "stuff" as we walked around.

We have hired him for 3 hours tomorrow at 150 RMB per hour to go to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We have room for 2 more people.  10 - 1 Tuesday.  Our plans still are to go to the Summer Palace on Thursday from 10 - 1 and we still have room for 2 Thursday as well.