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Post by Becster79 on Nov 16, 2006 14:02:09 GMT 7
Hey folks, Another FT & I may be taking a day trip into Xian mid-late December (mainly for an all-out Western pigout, but that's another story  !). I know this may be a laughable q here, but is there anywhere near the Bell Tower area that I may be able to buy winter underwear, or more specifically, longjohns?? And in normal sizes (e.g. 14-16 ladies)? Aussieland is impossible to find these things, I only have 1 pair (God bless The Warehouse, Sunshine Coast!) and they have to last me all winter....yeah right! In the meantime I'm going to die, and may have no choice but to immediately head south for the upcoming holiday  ! I'm fine for tops, skivvies etc...it's just the bottoms I'm having a huge prob with (also hope my jeans last out too!)! Any help will be MUCHLY appreciated (Lotus I'm looking at you ;D) |
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 16, 2006 14:09:18 GMT 7
Kaiyuan might be able to help you - straight opposite the Bell Tower. Otherwise try Ginwa - underneath the Bell Tower. I bought mine from Oz - Kathmandu travel shop. They do have mail order stuff.
If you can't find ladies, try men's sizes. I buy mens socks here a) becasue theya re thicker and b0 because they fit better - and my feet are a pretty average western 7.5-8!
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Post by Hamish on Nov 16, 2006 14:10:22 GMT 7
There are several HUGE stores within shouting distance of the tower. You'll find what you want.
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Post by acjade on Nov 16, 2006 14:40:04 GMT 7
Xiaozhi market has bigger sizes in ladies underwear. Take a bus from South St. down Chang'an lu (takes about 10 minutes).
Carrdours in North St. also stocks bigger sizes but I think they're more expensive. Stay away from Kaiyuan unless you have money to burn.
How long are you in town for? I could take you to the market with a Chinese bargainer. Unless you have mastered the art. I can't bargain my way out of a paper bag but I love shopping.
DoH! Just reread "... day trip."
If you guys aren't into weird breathing practices and know how to put a toilet seat down your welcome to kip overnight at my place. You would have to bring a quilt as I have the beds but not enough quilts.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 16, 2006 14:56:04 GMT 7
If you're headed out on the bus it's Xiaozhai. The buses (try 603, 600 as the main ones) frequently have a recorded voice that will tell you what stop you are at. There are clothes markets there - plus a great DVD market above it! - as well as a fashion area. There are also quite a few shops selling western (plus cowboy type western!!) style stuff, but usually fairly expensive. I sometimes look in the clothes market area - but usually only for "one season" clothes, as I think the quality isn't always the best - they will last for one season! So you may want to check them pretty carefully. I hadn't seen underwear there before, but that's a good tip. Will look next time I go. I have an underwear shop near here that will order sizes of the styles I want. And my cousin brought me some from Oz so at the moment I am nicely stocked up! But they were looking for silk thermals and we couldn't find them anywhere here. Don't know Carrdours - could be Carrefour?? It's in Bei Da Jie about 15 mintues (??) walk north from the Bell Tower. Some imported stuff, some Chinese. Last year I found thermals made of bamboo fibre - but didn't buy them. I wish I had now - merely to say I'm wearing bamboo!  |
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Post by Becster79 on Nov 16, 2006 15:31:40 GMT 7
Lotus, I'd say bamboo would be pretty warm though....wonder if they sell any round here?? Acjade- thanks for the offer, I think the other FT wants to only make it a day trip though and come back that night . We're both so busy with work and our students etc we're actually trying to find a day we're both free....it actually may very well be Christmas Eve (Sunday) when we go- she also really wants to take me to Oyster Restaurant, just off the main drag next to Home Club (ICBC & train tks across the road, it's nearish South Gate). Will definately try Ginwa, want to stock up on goodies there anyway (the 2nd reason we're going...) Can't wait, a trip to Xian for me is ALWAYS fun  ! |
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 16, 2006 15:37:46 GMT 7
The Oyster Restaurant is also near Kulala if you want to hit a disco for an evening. Last time I was at the Oyster the President of the Uni took us, and V.S. Naipaul was eating there as well!!
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Post by acjade on Nov 16, 2006 16:35:23 GMT 7
Sorry folks. My spelling is appalling. I'm rushing from here to Christmas with a few projects on a computor that acts like an ice maiden. Hopefully this will be cured in the next few days.
I'm working on my own, very nice computer, but most of the input is in Chinese so I have a difficult time working out what's what. Ah well, what's new.
Thank Goodness Lotus is here to correct my mistakes. ( Glad it's not a creative writing class.)
My Chinese son tells me that bigger Ladies sizes are available at the south market at the stall his birth mother buys her undies. She's a size 16. I'm a 10 or an 8 Aussie depending if it's upstairs or down so I can buy just about anything anywhere. The son's mother can't. She's a big woman. Rare in China I know. But she is what she is.
The quality is good. I bought my first pair of longjohns from there... never needed them in Oz. There still going strong and I haven't needed to buy any others for two years. This is my third winter.
Watch the dyes when you come to wash them.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 16, 2006 18:02:00 GMT 7
Hey that's George's job not mine!  My own spelling is dodgy enough - especially after a couple of glasses of red. Just didn't want Becs to be wandering plaintively around Xi'an looking for places that the locals find hard enough to understand even when we say them relatively (Engnese - ie the opposite of Chinglish) perfectly! No offence intended - just trying to help.  |
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Post by con's fly is open on Nov 16, 2006 19:10:57 GMT 7
Raoul suggested we get winter coats taylor-made. Highest quality, perfect fit, and- get this- cheaper than off the rack!  |
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