Timing is key

There are so many shops and street vendors. They must have read "Caps for sale" a 1938 classic children's book by Esphyr Slobodkina. They are constantly trying to get your attention. The first strategy is repeating the name of their product: "mısır koçanı , mısır koçanı, mısır koçanı, mısır koçanı, mısır koçanı !" (roasted corn on the cob) .

Another way is to greet you as you're walking by: "Hello! Where are you from? Are you from Italy?" Any answer you give, they'll follow instantly with another question, especially if that answer is 'no'!

The first few days in Istanbul, the weather was very sunny and so hot. The vendors were all selling bottled water, even young boys and older men, all for the same price. This can be very convenient. It is almost like having your own 'water caddy'.

Yesterday, when it started raining, the water bottles mysteriously transformed. In less time than it takes to say "It's raining!" five times fast. All the street peddlers were selling umbrellas and everyone was buying. "Umbrellas! Umbrellas! Umbrellas! Umbrellas! Umbrellas! Five liras for umbrella".