Shopping In Delhi-

This is a totally unrelated post to what I've been blog/journaling lately. I have some friends from my small group headed to India in a few weeks. They asked if there's anything they can pick up for me, and other than my little girl, no, not much. :)

I put together this list in an email- and thought it might be something that the Dillon moms might want to know for their time in Delhi. So- here are my favorite shopping spots in Delhi. :)

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Santushti- The place I mentioned last night that I loved to shop for jewelry and such, that Steve accurately described as a 'utica' type of environment (a really nice, upper end type of area, although fully Indian :)) is called Santushti. Goldie Hawn was shopping there when I was there last... :) Kinda funny, me dressed in my Indian missionary garb shopping in the same area as a movie star. It's a big grassy/treed area with meandering sidewalks and little shops spotted around. *Fixed Price, Credit or cash.

Dilli Haat- Great outdoor area with handmade items and booths with items from different areas all over India is called Dilli Haat. Both Santushti and Dilli Haat have a very cheap 'admission cost' (it's probably like 10 Rs?) to enter the general shopping area. Both places also have restaurants as well. They will sometimes have music or productions happening in an amphitheater area there too. There is a market across the street from Dilli Haat called the INA market where I bought a lot of my home goods (more utilitarian shopping than tourist shopping)*Bargain down the prices. Cash only.

Khan Market- a small shopping area/district with bookshops, and other stores. *Fixed Price (generally- some stores might bargain with you). There is a pharmacy here, and several really good restaurants in this area (but I can't remember their names!) Credit or cash.

Fab India- several locations around Delhi (and India). It's my favorite store in India, hands down. They have men's and women's clothing, household decor, gifts, LOTS of textiles- and overall, just great quality items, and I think all of them are handmade. There are smaller Fab India stores in Khan Market, Connaught Place, and other areas- but the best/biggest ones are in GK1, N Block (Greater Kailash, N block). They have a website if you want to check it out in advance- but know that the prices will be cheaper in India in person than the website prices. they also have a Fab India that is exclusively fabric if you want to sew your own bedding with Indian fabrics... I don't remember which location in Delhi it was though. www.fabindia.com *Fixed Price, credit or cash.

GK1- Greater Kailash (suburb area of Delhi)- there's a shopping area in the M block and the N block. *Fixed Price shops, credit or cash.

Connaught Place- large shopping/metropolitan area in the heart of Delhi (has lots of US franchise restaurants around). It's a really big 2 loop circle with stores on the inner circle and outer circle. These are the higher end pretty expensive shops for the most part. *Fixed Price Shops, Credit or cash.

Janpath Market- (Tibetan market area specifically)- Crowded outdoor stalls with lots of people everywhere. Handicrafts and such. *Bargain your heart out! Cash only:)

Central Cottage Industries Emporium- on corner of Janpath/Tolstoy. This is a government run fixed price store. The main location is the one at Janpath/Tolstoy, and having been to the satellite locations- I recommend only going to the main store. This place is indoors (a great place to shop if the weather is bad). It is a GIANT store (think a 5 story Macy's), everything is fixed price- and they have EVERYthing from all over India in here (handicrafts, art, furniture, fabric, rugs, clothing, toys, books, jewelry, etc.). It's a good place to go if you don't want to do the outdoor market/crowded/bargaining scene. This is where I went when I wanted to buy children's clothes, toys and books. They have a really great selection of children's items. *Fixed Price- they'll take credit cards here.

Ok- it looks like all I did in India was shop! :) We went to Delhi every few months and it was our major shopping outlet- since we lived in such a small town with little amenities... :) From all of you Dillon moms who have already travelled- I'd love your input on your favorite spots as well.