Survivor: Divisoria

Going to Divisoria on a holiday before Christmas is like going willingly to hell on earth. It's like hell (as I can imagine it to be), because it presents you with all sorts of tempting goodies (everything is sold at half the price they're selling it for in Greenhills!), it's HOT, and you are surrounded by demons (snatchers, smugglers).

Let me put it this way...going to Divisoria on a holiday before Christmas is like going to Binondo during Chinese New Year's; like going to Dangwa during Valentine's Day; like riding the MRT during rush hour. It's THAT crowded. Sometimes I imagine that it's even worse.

For the inexperienced, do not dare venture into Divisoria (even with the lure of good bargains), unless you are well-informed and well-prepared. Here are a few tips to help ease the culture shock:

1. Wear your most comfortable shoes. Favorably not open-toed shoes; much better if you wear rubber shoes. This will prevent your toes from being stomped on (it can happen at least once every minute). And you need to make your feet as happy as possible so you can get better mileage inside the Divisoria Mall.

2. Wear bright clothing. If you're going with a group, it's best to wear something that is easily distinguishable in a crowd. That way, your companions can easily spot you when you get separated (recommended for the vertically-challenged, most especially). If you're tall, it's ok to wear dull-colored clothes (especially if you hate getting attention...like me). You can be the one who spots the person in the bright-colored shirt.

3. Do not bring a purse / handbag. If you really need something to put your stuff in, bring a beltbag (if you don't mind looking like a Divi saleslady), or bring a body bag that hangs close to your body, and make sure that you always place it in front of you.

4. Bring lots of cash. But place it inside your jeans pocket...or someplace that's hard to snatch. There are ATMs around the area, but the lines are long. You don't want to cut on precious shopping time, do you?

5. Do not drive your own car. Get the driver to drive it. Finding a parking space is close to impossible. And it helps to have someone bring your first round of shopping bags to the car so you can have your hands free for the next round. :D Do not attempt to commute. Going home in a jeep with all of the stuff you're bound to buy is sure to be an unpleasant experience.

6. Establish a shopping route. If you're going to shop at the Divisoria Mall, be prepared to get lost in a labyrinth of alleys that look exactly alike. It's better to be systematic about it (and to make sure that everybody else you're with knows how the system works) so you can make the most of your trip (and so noone gets lost).

7. Don't be too picky. It's OK to canvass for the best price. But in Divisoria, the prices only differ from one another in fives or tens. That shouldn't matter much, especially if you think that it's still cheaper than the Greenhills version by about 50. Besides, if you think you can still find the stall that sells it at the cheapest price, best of luck to you. Better buy it while you've still got the chance.

8. Be prepared to die. The Divisoria Mall is an Ozone waiting to happen. There are no fire exits (none I can see, anyway), and some of the merchants actually have the nerve to smoke inside the building, what with all their wares being flammable. And with the tons of people inside, it will be no surprise to me if one will die, not from the fire itself, but from the stampede it will inevitably cause.

9. Do not curse or scowl each time you get trod on or pushed. Chances are, you will have used every swear word there is in only an hour's time, and that scowl will be a permanent feature on your face. There is NEVER a time when there will be no pushing, or no toe-stepping, so get used to it. And don't complain. Try to do some of your own pushing and stepping-on-toes, maybe that will make you feel a teensy bit better. Hehehe. ;)

10. Think happy thoughts. You're going to need every single one of them, especially if you plan on keeping your temper in check.

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Do not let these tips scare you. Shopping at Divisoria may be a hellish experience...but it's definitely worth it. I spent around PhP2000 today...and with that amount of money, I got a lot of really nice stuff (shoes, a jacket, jogging pants, accessories...etc). I remember my very FIRST journal entry (please see my Blurty for reference), about one of my shopping binges, wherein I spent around PhP2600 on just TWO tops and ONE sweater. Yep. My Divisoria shopping day was definitely worth it. :)

It's too bad that I have yet to finish my Christmas shopping...It's hard to shop for other people when you see a lot of stuff that YOU like for yourself. *sigh*