Children rode three-deep on single-seat scooters through overflowing fruit carts pushed haphazardly by old women seemingly unaware to the dangers surrounding them. Stray dogs ran through hagglers' legs, babies cried and music blared from every possible angle. It was a lot to take in and I parked myself on an overturned milk crate to observe.
With my Australian cowboy hat pulled low, plus the moon shades and beard, I hoped I might almost look inconspicuous. At the very least I hoped I could take a couple photos unnoticed.
Just as I steadied the Canon, though, an elderly gent with a glass eye snatched my camera from my unsuspecting hands and began gesticulating wildly as though he were overdue for a trip to the facilities.
I was altogether flabbergasted but I also didn’t want to cause a scene where one might not be needed. He backtracked while smiling broadly and, as I stood, he stopped and then steadied his hand and the camera on a parked cart. He pantomimed some more, I removed my hat and attempted a smile and he pushed some buttons- none of which, I'd learn later, released the shutter. Then he returned my camera, still grinning like a madman, and disappeared back into the chaos.