Friday, June 01, 2007

Kapali Carsi (otherwise, the Grand Bazaar)


The Grand Dame of Bazaars - the Kapali Carsi - still stands majestic today.

No visitor can resist the dizzying array of goods sold here - modern and traditional, arty and tacky, mass-produced and unique. It is like walking into Aladdin's cave of treasures.

Every tourist comes away believing he just clinched the best deal of his life because he bargained really hard and long.

Reality check: the tourist is testing his bargaining skill; the vendor haggles for a living.

Forget Aladdin's cave; the unsuspecting tourist is in a nest of vipers.



9 comments:

Anonymous said...

My most favorite place! Can just spend hours and hours in there! ANd isn't it so nice that the shopkeepers keep offering u tocome in for apple tea?

Suzie Wong said...

So colourful!

sinlady said...

vb - they are the most charming of rascals :)
suziewong - dazzling too!

wildgoose said...

Agree with Suzie Wong it's very colourful - and tempting. So did you come back with belly dance costumes (not from the Grand Bazaar, of course)?

sinlady said...

wg - no more bellydance costumes for me grand bazaar or anywhere else. Got blings and baubles for you girls from the 40 thieves :)

Anonymous said...

wow cant wait to see them! u back i suppose? i am dying for a break myself

sinlady said...

eatdrink: we get together soon as I have a chance to de-compress.

Anonymous said...

love the pics and the colors you chose to put together in this collage! very very vibrant.

sinlady said...

imp: thanks :)