Malls, Toys and Parental Guilt

In America, we never ever go to the mall. In fact, we try to avoid shopping as much as possible. Apparently, we have made a radical shift and are now mall-obsessed Americans. Indian malls are so nice and clean and air conditioned and have food courts and indoor playgrounds. It is a nice respite from bargaining and hassle and dust and dirt and teeming humanity.

Just beautiful, empty, artificial environments.

We went the other day to buy some groceries at the International grocery store (think peanut butter, enchilada sauce and espresso) called Le Marche Sugar and Spice.

While we were there, we paid 80 rupees to play in an indoor "Little Tikes" playground inside the mall. It had all the junky plastic toys we have picked up at garage sales. Zazie would play with them outside in South Carolina. Except here they are very fancy and very expensive. I was grateful for some place where she could just roll on the ground for a little while that was not 104 degrees. If she weren't all knees and legs in everything we might have even shelled out the $150 for a toy we bought at the thrift store last year for $3.

The last few weeks have been rough on Zazie, but somehow she remains afloat like the rest of us. however, one thing is she has learned to be a little manipulative. Like last night, when it was steaming hot in the house, the power was out, and we were all miserable. She said, "I am having a bad day. This is my bad day. Can I have some candy. Only candy can make this bad day better."

Good Lord.