Mr. Panika's Shop

One of the larger establishments in Anandapur (and along the queue for Kali River Rapids) is Mr. Panika's Shop. As the sign says, "Looking is FREE!" so come on in. From the ornate carving he's placed over the threshold to the "Welcome" plaque and wide variety of merchandise, Mr. Panika knows how to attract customers.

Mr. Panika's Shop is essentially an antique store, but he offers for sale just about anything a tourist traveling in these parts might have an interest in. In fact, Panika caters specifically to tourists, offering special prices to out-of-towners and deals for those who pay in U.S. dollars.

Looking for statuary, masks, carved walking canes, tapestries? You name it, Panika's got it. He even has one of these for sale:

Stumped? Why, it's a camel saddle, of course!

Along the edge of the shop is the desk where business is done. There's a portrait of the royal couple, naturally. Also look for family photos, a framed business license on the wall and postcards from Panika's travels. What you won't find is Mr. Panika himself, but according to the sign he has posted, he's just at temple and will be back soon.

Just to the right of the desk is a flight of stairs leading to the upper portion of the shop. Look up, and the first thing you might find is this modest cot. This isn't where Mr. Panika sleeps, though. This is for the shopkeeper he hires, so that he can be available for customers straight away in the mornings.

The Panika family lives in upstairs quarters beyond this door. Note the "Privacy" sign and the shoes left on the stoop.

There's more evidence of the Panika family out in the backyard. The tri-cycle is loaded down with goods that Mr. Panika has either just brought to the shop to unload or that he is planning to carry to a neighboring town for trade. There's a well in the yard for fresh water, and this is where Mrs. Panika does the family's laundry. We can also tell that the Panikas are relatively new parents. Notice the infant rocker sitting just outside the back door.