This is one of the areas where women assemble jewelry at Kazuri Bead factory.(See previous post.)
In anticipation of going back to the States in just two weeks, Judy and Phil have been purchasing gifts and souvenirs. Four times they visited Maasai markets. These craft markets are situated in different areas of Nairobi on different days. Crafts people spread out their goods on tarps and blankets. The trick, as a visitor, is to look at items in the craft areas but never actually stop walking, being careful not to make eye contact with anyone, or let your gaze fall directly on any one item until you are really interested in purchasing something. When the craft people see what you are interested in, they will descend on you with vigor. At one point, Judy had four people from different craft areas competing to sell her the same item. It was quite exhausting! Then, the bargaining begins. They start really high on the price scale and you start quite low--you settle somewhere in the middle. There is another aspect to these markets and he is called the "broker." This is a person who has no craft area but circulates until he finds someone he thinks he can take around the market and "help" them buy items. The idea is that you buy from him (at a higher price than the craft person would charge) and then the craft person and the broker split the money. This, of course, isn't supposed to be known by the visitor. A good friend told Judy and Phil about the broker system, so they tried to avoid these folks. Yesterday, one of these brokers became quite angry with Judy when she told him to go away as she didn't need his help. Another broker approached them and said he was security and would keep them safe and help them make their purchases. Judy and Phil were also successful in sending him on his way and had a somewhat-enjoyable time of making their purchases.
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