The pressure is on... (a golden moment)

This is the gold trading scene at the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) in Istanbul, Turkey. Since the economic downfall gold has finally re-taken its position in the economic trade. The gold index skyrocketed upwards, as of course everybody knew upfront and is now rich, right!?

With that fact in mind, and having seen the final scene of Trading Places (1983) quite a view times, I went out to have a look at a day's trading at the Grand Bazaar. Of course expecting an electrifying sight.

I wasn't let down. Okéé, it wasn't as hectic as the F.C.O.J. trade (don't ask, please see the clip I provided earlier... and have yourself a laugh). But I could surely sense the tension, stress and nervousness. It was clear the pressure was on. Orders pored in. Deals were made. Hands clapped. Options called out. The phones kept on ringing constantly.
BTW: guess how many mobile phone are depicted in this shot? I did the count based on my original 4000x3000 shot. There are more than you think.

Although the Grand Bazaar is a big tourist attraction - attracting between 250,000 and half a million visitors daily -, the traders don't see it that way. At my arrival, even before I took one single shot, they looked somewhat suspicious at me and perhaps even acting a bit shy... Who would have thought that! Okéé, I'm rather lengthy westerner, however, not a guy of which you would expect a smoking gun (only a smoking lens ;-).

In my journalistic nature I pressed on and started taking photos. No worries in that department, until - after a couple of seconds - some men started tapping me on the back; like children do as a little game. Every time I looked back they acted if it wasn't them and nothing had happened. This continued for about 4 or 5 times, me reacting less and less and they tapping harder and harder. So, after 6 or 7 minutes I decide I had enough. I already had the shot I wanted, and was actually playing it. However it had to remain playing...

Ohh, and before you ask: I intentionally kept in the grain. As many of you know I rather like it. To bad if by any chance you don't ;-)

Taken in: Turkey / İstanbul / İstanbul / Molla Fenari (show map)

Taken on: October 25, 2011

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