We are all hawkers now

When we first met the Delhi Deaf Women's group at their "deaf sweatshop" I was struck by a market niche that needed filling. I had recognized this need the last time we traveled.

I've always been hesitant to pull out the jumbo guidebooks we carry when we are in an unfamiliar environment. I have this unrational fear that doing so will shout to the locals that we are lost, or stupid, or tourists, or all of the above (As if our skin and clothes and baggage hadn't clued them in to these things already). As such, I envisioned some sort of cover that could deceive onlookers as to the contents of the book. I first thought that it could be some sort of reversible cloth covering that could act like a bible in certain areas and a quran in others; however, Michele shot down the idea by citing discrimination to the other gajillion religious texts.

I am not one to discriminate. Any alleged remarks that may (or may not) have been attributed to me regarding Indians who are deaf are MISLEADING EXAGGERATIONS and "made-up, erroneous dream-speak" at best. We found at the deaf women's craft workshop the raw materials to fabricate the perfect guise for a guidebook: Batik Elephant printed "trapper-keeper"s and notebooks!

After much hassling and negotiation (they all hate me) the women agreed to produce a beta version of the guide book misidentification device. I call it the GBMiD. I'm happy to say that it beautifully enshrouds our Lonely Plant or Rough guide in mystery. I purchased the book with glee and promised to the women that I would market it to bookstores and fellow travelers.

Today has hopefully been my last day in Delhi. I saw the new Delhi Metro line and met with the Chief Architect, Tripta Khurana. She was nice and very helpful describing the process of making the Metro accessible (I will spare the boring details of our meeting for a later entry when I'm out of boring details to share). Although our appointment was slightly delayed when her reception staff left for the day without telling her that I was waiting, the meeting went great.

Today I finally got a chance to wreak wrevenge on the annoying touts that have been trying to sell things to us since our feet got on the ground. I went stall to stall and bookstore to bookstore hawking the GBMid! My pitch was relentless, but technique was inconsistent. I didn't secure a sale, but I did give away all of the Delhi Deaf Women's Foundation business cards. When touts approached, I went into full selling mode. It was fun and relaxing... God do I love selling.

I must go as I need to finish the flyer to post on the hippy-dippy Internet Cafe wall. I've already been working on the copy for the ad. How does "Improve your Karma instantly with this purchase!" strike you.

For ordering information contact:
Delhi Foundation of Deaf Women
1st Floor, DDA Community Hall,
Gali Chandiwalli, Paharganj
New Delhi -110055
dfdw@mantraonline.com

Thanks!