Die Die Must Buy

On our first real weekend in Bangalore, our FA (Fun Administrators) Jen and Sid had some amazing activities planned for us.  The group broke off into two groups, on Friday the guys went with Sid to go prowling around MG road with a few long stops at a Hookah bar and a lounge bar called Couch.  The girls went with Jen, Anu, and Mary to go shopping for some Indian attire, first at fabindia then at some local sari shops.  On Saturday the two groups switched and the boys went shopping and the girls went prowling. 

Fabindia has become a common name throughout India and their stores can be found in nearly every large city in India.  Fabindia is ”a company dedicated to revivng traditional Indian crafts while creating livelihoods for village Indians.” (Planet India)  We were all incredibly excited to finally get the chance to buy some Indian attire.  We thought it might help us blend in….. but we would need alot more than clothing for that.  On our trip we were accompanied by three different fashion experts who all posessed a special skill that proved vital.   Jen could tell our best colors from her experience working at J Crew.  Anu gave us the saying, “die die must buy” saying that unless we felt this way we should wait to buy whatever we were contemplating.  Anu also had the gift of brutal honesty.  At one point I asked Anu if a Sari looked good and she replied, “No, no you look like a Christmas tree”, it was brutal but true and helpful.  Mary had the connections, she was able to introduce us to some people at a Sari shop that she had done buiness with before and also took us to a tailor to have our saris fitted.  It was with their help that we were able to find some “Fabulous” clothing. 

Even though shopping was very fun, it also proved to be somewhat of a challenge to more than just our bank accounts.  The second we entered the store I went right back into my old mindset of consumerism and I loved every minute of it.  But it wasn’t until I left the store with bags in tow that I realized how easily I was able to push off the lessons that I had just learned.  Not more than a few days before had I been disgusted at people’s ability and desire to buy the unnecessary.  Not more than a few days before had we visited the slums and seen extreme poverty.  It was the beggar on the street that brought me back to reality, he kept saying, “God oh please God help me.” 

Even though I am still very excited about my purchases and new Indian clothing, its hard to not feel guilty for the excess we have and often feel we need.  But finding a healthy balance is key, and it is key in more than just shopping.  Finding a healthy balance between wanting and needing, splurging and saving, and dreaming and living is essentially what leads to happiness. 

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