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FYI SOUTH Magazine, October 2003. VOL.3 ISSUE 10

Ganesh Store 612, YuJu 1st St., ShinShing, Kaohsiung City (07) 272-7996 Hours: 2 pm-10 pm 10, YungFu Rd., Sec. 1, Tainan City (06) 214-9903 Hours: 1-30 pm-10 pm www.ganeshstore.com

        The first time I stepped into Ganesh, I saw a man, incense cupped in his hands, bowing to an elephant idol, and then ringing a series of soft chimes. Rhythmic Indian music was playing in the background. Gigi, one of the store's three owners, worships the Indian elephant god Ganesh, and has visited India at least 10 times. "At first he only wanted to have a shop that sells incense," says Jenny, another owner. But the spoils of India convinced the owners to expand the range of merchandise they sell. Strewn throughout this tiny shop is an eclectic mix of drums, Indian cigarettes, incense, Nepalese slippers, delicate shawls, and wall hangings. The owners travel to India every two or three months and personally pick out the goods they bring back to sell. "Everything is by chance," says Jenny, noting that some popular items may be hard to find in India. "If you want something twice, sorry," she says. The Kaohsiung outlet has been open for more than two years; the Tainan store opened earlier this year.