Juma at the Bazaar.

I went to the Bazaar today since I had not been in several weeks since I had been too busy plus a friend wanted me to take a picture of some souvenirs so he could pick which item I should send him.  I found a shop that had a bunch on display in a nice way so you can see  everything well.  I ask him if I could take a picture of his stand.  He was very excited and said "Sure, Please Sir"

I so I took the picture he introduced himself to me as Juma and asked my name.  Then he asked me to take a picture of him and his son.  Afterwards he asked me if he could see the picture.  When I showed him he got even more excited and asked if I could get him a copy printed and bring it to him next week (since the Bazaar here on KAF is only for 4 hours and only on Saturdays).  I told him it might not be back next week but I would be sure to bring it to him one Saturday in the near future.


The Bazaar is a popular place.  Troops and contractors love to head there to buy anything from watches to "fOAKLEYS"; DVDs to video games; speakers, persian rugs, scarves and purses, gems and jewlery even optics for rifles.  I like to meet and learn about these locals and talk to them but since KAF (Kandahar Air Field) only allows the Bazaar once a week and only for 4 hours most of these vendors seem to feel very pressured to push their wares on you with the hard sell.

One of the first times I went to the Bazaar I was walking by one of the rug/scarf/shall merchants and much to my surprise he was not doing like most and say "Sir, Sir how bout some nice _______ very good price"....etc.  Instead he stuck his hand out to me and said "hello sir" and of course I say hello and shake his hand.  Well he won't let go of my hand and even uses his other hand to hold my forearm and starts walking me toward his fabrics and rugs and in traditional Afghan style engages me in close-talking as he tries to show me how good the quality of his product is.  After about 90 seconds he releases my hand and before I can make my escape he takes my hand again.  After another couple minutes I convince him that today I am not looking for scarves and rugs and I make my escape.

It amazes me to see how young some of these salesmen are.  There are tons of boys 5-6 years old running around with jewelry and other trinkets to sell, speaking very good English.  I even saw a boy who was 3 maybe 4 standing on a table shouting to people passing by trying to convince them to buy this stuffed talking camel.  "twenty five dollar, very good, COME LOOK, MISTER MISTER!  COME LOOK!  Only Twenty Five dollar".  It is definitely an experience I have never experience in the States.