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"I sell you very good rings, sir. You like. Your wife will like." The sales room is the shade of a neem tree. There is no negotiating table as both vendor and potential customer squat in the dust. Yet the sales technique is faultless.
"Sir, would you prefer the emerald? Or the ruby? I can have it to you today, sir, if you would like, sir. Very good quality, sir."
Welcome to jewellery sales, Rajasthani-style.
This article continues, written in a conversational style and includes information on travel in Rajasthan, north India, accommodation provided, local food and cuisine, things to do and see.
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(finishes
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We have been warned that the Sam dunes are alive with touts and people trying to sell us souvenirs, yet there have been only a few boys, offering bottled water.
Our guide shuffles his feet in the sand. "The world's events have been hard on us here," he says softly. "I hope people will return. We have so much here."
He is right of course. India has a lot to sell. Sometimes it happens under a tree in a busy street. Sometimes it is a bunch of jostling youngsters, arguing and shoving, pestering you to buy postcards or keyrings. Sometimes it is the experience.
That people will come and take back memories as well as photographs and postcards, is their hope. It's a tempting deal for what price can you put anyway on the memory of a child's smile, or a flash of crimson in a field of grain?
Or a sunset?
FACTFILE: (to be updated on the sale of this article)
Where is it?
Getting there:
Getting around:
Where to stay:
Where to dine:
What to see:
Health:
Currency:
More information:
(1600words + Fact file) ©Sally Hammond 2006
(Sally and Gordon Hammond travelled as guests of India Tourism)
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Contact Sally Hammond for a pricing schedule or to discuss purchase of this article.
Currently the article runs to approximately 1600 words plus Factfile (fact-checked and updated free on sale of this article).
The article may be shortened according to editorial needs, and the Factfile may be expanded, however if additional work is requested it will affect the final cost of the article.
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This article has previously been published in Australia and first Australian rights have been sold. Other rights are available.
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