Cutting the crap and getting to the point, I’m getting a new tattoo. Like the previous one with all the drama, this too has it’s share. After admiring my first one for a while, I begun to itch for another. So I did my usual thinking which mostly happens in the toilet, bathroom and bed which are also good for other purposes. And since I’m pro Indian and shit, sanskrit was the choice. Location chosen; back.
There are a few conditions to this tattoo.
- want it big, but not too big, tacky or gangster
- want it done by a Russian to remind of my med school years
- want the design with shades and not just solid black unlike my first one
- and that’s about it.
After I got the design sorted out, I needed to find a proper tattooist in Moscow. Asked a few friends and some Google-ing, I got 2 shops. Did my research on both of them and paid them a visit.
This is what I have gathered.
Shop 1
- classy, well furnished, posh and large.
- websites packed with info and they even have a forum for discussion and inquiries
- award winning tattooist with awesome work
- seems to well equipped and very clean
Shop 2
- small and a decent shop with the basics
- websites seems decent with enough info
- don’t know much about the tattooist except he looks thin, a vegan and that a few of my friends tattooed with him with good results, but he makes you feel comfortable and at ease.
- has the necessary equipment to run a shop
You may begin to wonder why do I even bother with Shop 2 when Shop 1 seems so good on paper. The reason being that Shop 1 also cost almost 3 times as much to tattoo than Shop 2. A difference of almost 300 dollars. Yes, I’m talking american dollars. The malayalee blood in me is telling shop 2 but we’re talking permanent markings for life and I’d rather go professional, if I can get the cash. I’m still hoping for negotiations with the price as I await the tattooist from Shop 1 to get back to me with his sketch and price.
There is also another issue. I haven’t exactly informed my mother about this. It took years to convince her with my first and I can’t be waiting that long again with this one. I did though throw in the idea during summer just to check the waters and came back with a tsunami. I don’t usually go against my parents’ wishes. But then again, there is always the first time. I’ll just have to see how it goes. Maybe the next post would come with a tattoo, just maybe. Cheers!
