After an Afternoon

Today, I was a master at bargaining.  Well, I think so anyway.


After a visit to La Casa De Cultura, I went on a walk through a near by park.  Seeing some tents in the distance, I ventured over, expecting to be solely a window shopper.  I made my way into the stands of women selling goods and food, their children running around with soccer balls.  


Weaving through arms and voices of the pleading women, I found myself stopped at a place where, at least for a moment, no one seemed to notice me.   I was lost in thought, gazing at a painting, noticing nothing else around me.  Before too long, a women approached.  She was dressed in loose native clothing, a traditional hat, turquoise necklaces and wrinkles that complemented the years in her eyes.  It was clear that she spoke no English, so my Spanish would be put to the test.  ´


´How much´´, I asked, trying to sound confident in my diction, despite the gringo exterior she was looking at.  
´35´, she said.  
Before even asking, I had decided to act appalled at whatever the woman said.  I gasped.  ´No, no´, and started to walk away.  
´Wait!´ She decided to ask me what I wanted to pay for it this time around.  
´20.  It is all I have´.  
She offered a smaller painting for 20.  ´No, I want this one, but I only have twenty dollars´.  She kept throwing offers at me: ´30´, ´28´, ´27´... I said 25 and she looked at me wearily, but I knew I had her.  


I leaned in, assuming the position of a catcher in baseball and examined the painting.  I was great, there was certainly something dark about it, but I really liked it.  I could imagine Mary Lavin hanging it up in her house against a brightly colored wall.   She directed for another woman to come over, asking if 25 was would suffice.  From the corner of my eye, I watched this new woman painfully agree.


The woman reached to get a bag and I reached for my wallet.  I acted so surprised: ´What?!, I only have 20 dollars´.  This was the true test, would she still sell me the painting for only 20? I had the crisp 20 dollar bill in my hand, Jackson was looking right at her.   She looked me square in the eye and took the money quickly.  I do not know if she did not want the other woman to know it was going for less, upset with me for playing her or just taking the money, but she certainly gave me a look before handing me the painting.  


I walked away with a smile.  A proud accomplishment.  I think the painting is beautiful, but the story I now have behind the painting makes it so much better.  My first souvenir purchase of the trip.  My first true Spanish bargain of the trip.  Now, how much will it cost to ship it home?