After having breakfast, I went to the information center to try to find myself a map. I talked to Vyji, an Indian who married and Arab and now lived in Jerusalem. We started talking and she told me where all the places were. In addition to trying to sell me 17 tours, she gave me 500 brochures with discounts to all these different restaurants, but I had a mission.
My mission: to buy a blow dryer. Because I had no idea of how the outlet situation was going to work here, and my blow dryer is really big and bulky, I decided not to bring it. Turns out it is SUPER cold in Jerusalem, so I absolutely needed one. I asked Vygi where I could find one, and she told me there was ONE store in the market that sold electronic products. I asked her how much I should pay for it, and she said anywhere from 100-150 NIS (about 25-30 USD). So I went for it.
I started navigating the suq (market) streets and asking people around. I didn't want to pull out my big ol' map, because I didn't want to look like a tourist, but I look like one no matter what. I just tried to remember my path, so I could get myself back to my hostel. I totally got lost in the suq in Rabat and did not want to repeat that experience (especially by myself)!
I followed a couple of people's directions, but I still couldn't find it, so I asked a shopkeeper. His name was Ramadan, and he freaked out when he found out I could speak Arabic. We talked for about ten minutes and then I asked him about the electronics man. He told me to go up the stairs, turn right and pass four shawarma places- it should be on my right-hand side. Interesting directions, I thought. Just in case, he gave me the man's first AND last name, so I could ask in case I couldn't find it (I mean, the directions were just so clear...how could I not?).
Well, I didn't find it. So I asked this guy who was trying to sell me shawarma if he knew the guy. After he almost had a heart attack when he heard me speak Arabic, he pointed right across the street to this tiny little green door, a.k.a. the electronics store. I talked to the sweet man in the store and told him that Ramadan sent me. He gave me this awesome blow dryer for 100NIS. I didn't bargain, and I feel like maybe I should have just because I was in the suq, but I'll give myself a break given that it was the first day and I really needed it!
Mission accomplished!!
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