Friday 11th May 2012 - Kandy, Sri Lanka

Today I decided to head back to the market that I went to yesterday to see if there were any differences in prices when going alone. I got to near the place and couldn't remember exactly where to go next and then this man came and started talking to me so I asked him where to go. Instead of just pointing me in the right direction the guy walked with me. He walked me up to a spice stall where i was quoted Rs780 for an assortment of spices. I said that I was just looking around and would maybe come back later. The man left and then at the next stall I was quoted Rs200 for the same thing. I couldn't believe it! Now I knew that I must have been ripped off the day before. When i told the man at the next stall what had happened he took me into the back of his stall, sat me down and gave me some tea. He told me that the guy from yesterday was no doubt a street boy and that I had paid three times the amount that I should have yesterday. He said that these boys do it all the time - they speak to you and say that they work in your hotel or somewhere relevant to you and then take you to these stalls where you are charged way like double for things - the street boy goes back later and is then given the money that you paid over the odds. I couldn't believe it! He said if anyone tries to talk to me just ignore them and stop worrying about being rude. I then decided to go upstairs to where I had bought all the pashminas for a ridiculous price and tell him that I had seen the same thing cheaper elsewhere. Even when I asked him about the street boy he said that yes he had given him a small amount of money (only Rs300) for bringing me to his shop but that the prices I paid were standard - I still wasn't convinced though and he could see that so he gave me another pashmina for free. That shows me for sure that I had paid way over the odds but there was nothing I could do and I guess he didn't have to give me the extra pashmina at all. I just need to learn from this or stop buying!!! I went back to the guy at the spice stall and bought loads of spices to take home as gifts. He then told me he could take me to a place in the village where all of these stalls get their things from and I could buy things really cheap. He had been really kind to me so like a complete and utter prick I got on the bus with him to this place he told me about and realised that this guy was no better than everyone else. He had brought me to a place where you buy rubies and sapphires. No doubt he would get commission for anything I bought too. I couldn't believe the dishonesty of these people and their pure burning desire to rip tourists off to make a buck. I was starting to like Sri Lanka less and less. Everyone seems to have a hidden agenda. Even Fareena's brother in law, the guy who worked at the saree shop who offered me to stay at his place with the ladies from the shop, had got my number from Fareena and was texting me saying he misses me and that I shouldnt tell anyone he was texting me.  I am feeling seriously tempted to run some havoc in this place! My kindness and trusting nature was getting me into some predicaments. Luckily no dangerous ones but ones where I was spending way too much money! I can't understand why I am being like this because I would never in a million years be so stupid in England and would always look around for the best prices so why was I being stupid here?  Anyway, I left the jewellery place empty handed saying that a commitment like that would require me to do research first. The guy that took me there must have been pissed!! Hahaha! Idiot! Anyway, I got back to Kandy central and walked to eat in the Muslim Hotel, a place recommended by lonely planet. I ordered fish curry and rice which was ok, very spicy but the side of Dahl helped!  I felt depleted and vulnerable and didn't feel much like facing anymore people after the day I had so I just went back to my guesthouse armed with loads of chocolate.