Barely Fashionista.

…is the Tamagotchi.

Kids were crazy for them when I was in the sixth grade (the year of which I am not divulging, haha!). But I never got one because the family is very practical when it comes to toys. Tamagotchis were pretty expensive back then and buying one for me would mean buying four more for my siblings too. I was curious about them but I wasn’t that enthusiastic in caring for a virtual pet (mainly because I know the virtual pet wouldn’t last a week under my care).

The Tamagotchi craze didn’t really die down. Only less people are interested now. Of course, they’re still expensive because they were upgraded with infrared technology making two Tamagotchis interact with each other, have kids, etc. Early this year, I wanted to buy one fake Tamagotchi being sold for P200.00 in Divisoria after one of my ex-officemates brought one to work. But whenever I was in the haggling capital of Manila, I never can seem to find one. So again, no Tamagotchi for me.

Here in Riyadh, I was hoping to find one at the toy mecca near Deira but it wasn’t an urgent wish. If I can find one, then good. If not, then it’s fine. What do you know, in one of our trips to the Saudi House, a fashion center in Suleimaniya, I found this display:

Hello Tamagotchi!

I was on the verge of being a kid again. I wanted to grab one, head to the cashier and pay the  SR99 price tag without batting an eyelash. But I restrained myself from doing so because 1. I was trying to stretch the money I have left for the coming Eid al-Fitr holiday, 2. I cannot explain the purchase of a toy (for me) to the parents, 3. it was a Tamagotchi family I will be taking care of, I hate lots of toys to watch out for, and 4. a little kid was eyeing me grinning at the toy like a desperate idiot. So I moved on to the accessories section. Of course, still glancing at the display rack once in a while.

You will be mine someday.

When we were on the way home, I came to the conclusion that once I have a few rials to spare, I will definitely go back that store and buy one Tamagotchi. Or maybe I’ll find a Tamagotchi at the larger toy stores (hence finding a solo Tamagotchi, not an entire family!). To hell with being childish! Haha!