Last Sunday I finally had a chance to visit “Sosyete pazarı” (“High-end flea market”) — a market, opened this year behind Alanyum shopping center. I’ve heard about it before, but never had time to go there and look around properly.
I was at such markets before in Antalya. It’s a lot of fun and excitement. Imagine heaps of clothes, shoes, home textiles and bijouterie, sold for ridiculous prices. What could be more exciting for people who love shopping!
Actually, I already have been there a couple of weeks ago with my husband, so we can assume that I haven’t been there at all. This place is a paradise for women and a hell for men. They say that men are hunters by nature, and women are gatherers. That is why, probably, only a woman can spend hours wandering through the stores and markets and enjoy it.
As soon as I got to the market, its atmosphere captured me, but I decided not to give up so fast and scout out the situation first. But after five minutes, I was «stuck» to a stall with bijouterie. There were earrings, chains, rings, necklaces, pins and trinkets for 1 lira apiece. Seeing a few women with the eyes glowing with excitement, who were digging into piles of packages, I could not resist and joined them.
Some half an hour later, I found myself holding a variety of trinkets in my hand, wondering why I bought them and what on earth I am going do with it. But I felt very happy, and the rest didn’t matter. Whether old instincts, or heat, or the excitement created by the sellers, encouraging customers not to hesitate and dig into the heaps of the stuff they sell, or all the factors together, make women dive into this atmosphere of absolute shopaholic feast, and spend hours, shopping for useless stuff.
However, if you do not lose your head, you can find a lot of good things for very pleasant prices. For example, one more stall, which I could not pass by, was a stall with shoes. Hundreds of boots, shoes, sneakers and slippers of a pretty good quality, piled in heaps, were offered for only 15 lira per pair. This time, the customers had a more difficult task, which consisted of several stages: 1). choose what you like, 2). find the right size (if available) 3). find a second shoe and make a pair.
The outcries of the vendors, appealing the customers to their stalls, is a distinguished source of entertainment. They seem to compete with each other in wit. “Come on, ladies, don’t hesitate, come and look! Even if you are not going to buy, make a crowd!”, “Ladies, our boss has gone mad! Sells everything for 5 lira!”, “Ladies, feel free to spend your husband’s money!”, “Come on, we are selling for your joy, at our loss!” etc.
The question arises: where do all these products are coming from and why are they so cheap? Some of the products at this market are substandard items from the factories producing goods for famous European brands. Some of them are unsold items from past seasons of «outlet» shops. The same goes for branded shoes: when there are 1-2 pairs in the size range left, it seems more reasonable to sell them for a song than keep in the store.
For many women of Alanya, this market has become a favorite entertainment place. If you plan to visit this market next Sunday, there is one important thing to remember: be merciful and leave your husbands and children at home!
Have a good shopping! See you next week.
Polina Akar
