#7

And I'm back. Sorry If no comments were coming through, some cock-up in the settings department. All fixed now!

I went to Istanbul last week - totally rad. Cool markets, people and culture. One has to visit the markets when in Istanbul, so we visited the Grand Bazaar.

I was reminded immediately of my visit to Beijing in 2006 whereupon the hoards of stalls, each no bigger than a small bathroom, went as far as the eye could see - all undercover. With this reminder came the memory of the great art of haggling.

I do enjoy haggling. It's like a very small adrenaline rush because you're messing with a dude who's trying to get as much money from you as he can. Meanwhile, you're trying to keep as much money as you can. Ideally, we meet halfway, often you are ripped off and you don't even know it.

Anywho I inquired to a gentleman about a scarf he had on display. This scarf was identical (albeit a different colour) to a scarf I had purchased that very day, at a different market for 10YTL, roughly £5 or $10AUD. Not too bad - it was silk and lovely looking! This conversation followed:

"How much for this one mate?"
"20 Lira"
"20? Righto..."
"How much you think should be paid?"
"Well I saw one before, for 10"
"10? That price mean no good quality"
"Yeah but it was the same scarf"
"If it was the same, why didn't you buy it?"
"I did."

He shrugged his shoulders and I walked off. He just lost 10 Lira, the clown.

Not complaining though - good times had constantly.

Even the time when a local old man decided to not mind his own business, after he saw us looking in our guide book for our hostel. His English was barely audible or decipherable, his teeth and smile reminiscent of a pom who'd lost his toothbrush and hadn't bothered to get a new one in 25 years. What's more is he grabbed our (face) cheeks exclaiming,
"You are young looking! Very young!" - just like aunty Gladys at Christmas would.

Righto champ, hands to yourself if you don't mind. We thought we'd lost him when he walked off, he then stopped, turned around and began it all over again. Trying to be nice? Probably. Admirable gesture? Sure. Helpful? Not in the slightest. Creepy? Hell yes.

Shalom.