Balloons of Bombay

I've posted on the big balloons before but I'm still not over them.  How many balloons are sold in a day?  Who is the Balloon Master?  Why are the ones in the packets puny specimens?  How much would I have to pay to get a genuine big balloon?  What would I do with one if I actually bought it?

 "This is a BIG, big balloon" he said, "The biggest" I agreed.

Meanwhile, dejected,  just a street away a balloon seller hawks a smaller big balloon.

The Big Balloons of Bombay

Giant Balloon Guy

Puzzled. Every city has its own brand of hawkers specialising in selling tat to tourists. In Vietnam it was photocopied books, anywhere there were tourists there were girls lugging tottering stacks of Lonely Planets and The Quiet American around. If they didn't have what you were looking for the would hop off to a central warehouse and be back with your Bill Bryson of choice in minutes. This is a practical and popular product ideally suited to the target market.

In Mumbai they sell giant balloons to tourists. I know you would buy an uninflated version but the questions are still begged...

Who buys them?
How much do they pay?
What do they do with them ?
How long do they take to blow up?
Why?

New balloons hit the streets

Who knew there were balloon fashions? At New Year I noticed that the balloon to have if you were anyone wasn't a tiger or spiderman or santa but one of these fantastic spiral creations.

I've already had a few of them bop me in the face but it would be churlish to complain about a balloon attack.

Saigon Ballon Seller

All over the country, but especially in the cities, people sell balloons. They're available in all sorts of shapes and styles to suit the individual and the time of year.

But for some reason there's always at least one Santa in there.