The TORGOMAN SOUK -- A Ray of Hope. When Mahi and I decided to go and visit this new site for the downtown banished street vendors, we hade some preconceived notions. One of them, that it would be a hard to reach place, proved to be not true. It is in fact accessible from May 15 Bridge, coming from Zamalek. From Ramsis street, from Maspero, and from October 6 Bridge coming from Heliopolis. The following are some remarks, important feedback from this first visit. 1. The back to school مستلزمات المدارس tent, erected next to the allotted Souk area drew quite a few buyers. And other vendors benefited as well. Which showed the importance of having a lure, a pull for people to come. 2. We thought the souk would draw those who live in the area mainly. But people came from differen places. One lady from Heliopolis told us انا جاية اشجع . Weve come to encourage sales is something we heard frequently during our visit. 3. When we arrived, getting out of the car, we heard some foul language. An exchange between the vendors! As we moved amongst them, greeting some, being met with smiles from others, the general atmosphere calmed down. Language became more civil and we felt more comfortable and at home. But more important the vendors, THEY, warmed up to us. Which means for this Souk to flourish and for vendors manners and attitudes to improve, WE should be visiting more frequently. 4. The allocated area for the Souk is very spacious. Mostly covered by a stretched out sunshade. Only about 10% of the area was occupied! Little white units on wheels, probably made of plastic wood, were given to the vendors for them to display their wares. They were numbered and had the vendors names scrawled on them. Most of them were locked and stacked in corners. They didnt look very durable and I dont think they will last long! 5. Each vendor had a specified square outlined for them on the ground to expose their wares. One vendor complained that the squares were too close to each other . He showed us how they overlapped and how there was no room to circulate. (To be continued.... Next post on the Vendors and their Wares.)
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 14:43:36 +0000
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