Today we visited the Khan al-Khalili, also know as the Turkish bazaar.<\/p>\n
It is a combination tourist trap and marketplace.<\/p>\n
The main “streets” through the Khan are full of tourist crap and ENTHUSIASTIC hawking. Calling out to obivous tourists in several languages until you respond. Stepping in front of you in an attempt to direct you into the store.<\/p>\n
One humours exchange I had was:
\nHello sir, good prices come see.<\/p>\n
La, shukran. (no, thank you)
\nWhat are you looking for?<\/p>\n
Nothing<\/p>\n
Sir! I have nothing! come see…<\/p>\n
Answering to any of these questions or comments will result in lots more questions:<\/p>\n
Where you from?<\/p>\n
What are you looking for?<\/p>\n
Come see. Totally free!<\/p>\n
To answer any of these will result in further high pressure tactics.<\/p>\n
However, if one ducks down an side street, it is more for the locals. One gets away from the constant hucksterism. It is stil there, but they won’t actually follow you down the street trying to get you to turn around and come in. It is more of a<\/p>\n
“hey, look sir! come in”<\/p>\n
Ignoring then works.<\/p>\n
I seem to gather a LOT of attention, looks, smiles and even laughter and pointing. It is a combo of the hat and the pony tail that seems to draw the attention.<\/p>\n
Today I was addressed as:<\/p>\n
Cowboy! where is your horse? no horse?
\nJohn Wayne<\/p>\n
Hulk Hogan (?)<\/p>\n
Ali Baba and Alexander (while making beard motions with their hands)<\/p>\n
Women seem intrigued by the hair, mostly giggling about it.<\/p>\n
The bazaar is divided into sections. We stumbed from one to another.
\nWe went through<\/p>\n
The crush of humanity in some of these areas was intense. There were men and boys pushing carts through the tight alley ways, rolling over the feet of people that were not quick enough to get out of their way.<\/p>\n
Today was a reconnaisance mission. We did not buy anything.<\/p>\n
We will go back.<\/p>\n