Last Sunday I went to Karachi Sunday Bazaar after almost 15 years . I was greatly impressed by the paved walkways, organized car park, numbered shops, cleanliness , neat / clean bathrooms , elaborate food courts . Sunday Bazaar is a modern day flee market set up in phase 8 , DHA , Karachi . In the past it used to be a large number of shops set up under a tent on unpaved dirt land . Parking used to be a huge problem but I guess the city and DHA association have done a marvelous job of organizing this Bazaar ; a popular shopping and tourist stop in Karachi .
One can find designer luggage pieces , watches, sun glasses ( yes second quality), beautiful jewelry , dresses , fabrics , house hold items ( from all over the world) . My favorite was the mega book store in the far corner selling books, magazines for young and old . One should be a " master of bargaining " to enter the Bazaar ......... you can easily pay 50% of the asking price after few minutes of bargaining with the vendor.
As I entered the bazar I saw beautiful rugs hanging on one side and colorful cotton fabrics hanging on the other side. Shop keepers like to attract shoppers by calling them over to their shops to get a good deal.........they call ladies "Aunty jees" and men "Sahab(Sir)"...........the #2 quality watches are sold in Sunday Bazar for Rs 500 to Rs 800 ($5)as compared to Rs 10,000($100) in the mega malls.
Teenage kids who are porters are walking around with their baskets who can help you carry the stuff for few hundred rupees . The food courts in centre sell delicious kachorees, chat, samosas , pani puri ( Pakistani delicacies ). The fruit and vegetable markets are the "busiest areas".....full of housewives buying groceries .
