Stepping off the coach, we were immediately accosted by the locals trying to sell us everything that wasn't nailed down... and another guy approached trying to sell us the nails too.
The best advice is to say a polite "no thank you" and keep walking. NEVER get into a conversation with them. It may seem rude but they all have a bit of Moses in them, being experts at parting tourists from monies.
Don't go for a camel or horse ride... They go out to the middle of the desert and then ask for huge amounts of cash to take you back again.
The other trick is to nonchalantly hand you something and say "it's free my friend" and feign walking away. If you open / use / eat the free gift suddenly it's no longer free and you are hounded for payment.
They also try to catch your attention with phrases such as "asda price" and "cheap as chips" or "very cheap only one million English pounds". If you turn your head or laugh, they home in on you like a hungry mosquito on a trail of CO2...
I don't blame them, it is still a poor country by most standards. With tourism propping up a lot of the economy in the area, it's understandable to see people making a living any way they can - at least they haven't turned to crime, though some of the crap they were selling should have been made illegal.
Mostly, if you make it clear you are not interested they will leave you alone and in good spirits. There's no need to get shirty with them.
More in Part 6...
Bye for now!
Cheers
Stootz
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