As you move out of the larger centers and into more rural and small town areas, white people are more rare and therefore cause more excitement. Little children are fascinated by me, and will stop in the road to watch me go by. These three scamps burst into giggles when I turned the camera on them. I wish I could have taken a picture of the little girl on the bus who stopped dead by my seat and wouldn't let her mother take her any farther until she had looked her fill.
Once I was inside a market stall getting my nails done when one young man, maybe 20 years old, wanted to take a picture of me. He said I was the first north american he's seen that wasn't on TV. I'm not sure I'm a good example, but I gamely smiled for his cellphone. That was the first one. A week later while we were sightseeing near a very old church, several young ladies came up to me, smiled, and politely asked if they could have their picture taken with me. It was such a lark, I got hubby to take one, too.
Vendors and shopkeepers target me and will call out "madam!" trying to get my attention. I certainly don't have to try very hard to get service. In fact, I have to be very careful about nodding my head when I meet people in the street because if they are selling something they assume that I've signaled to them and will come running with their wares. I hope I don't spend so much time here that I get used to being treated like a celebrity.
The downside is that there is always the odd person out to get what they can. While most vendors and service suppliers deal honestly with me, or at least don't obviously jack up the prices, there will be a couple that try to get more than their share. It's unfortunate, but a fact of life. It is harder to understand in the children. Nearer the large cities and tourist areas, a few will approach, and hold our their hands asking for a "gift". I just look puzzled, and let hubby deal with them. I always was a pale faced coward.
W
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