You might know that the term “agoraphobia” means fear of the market place. People who suffer from this disorder are afraid of being in open public spaces. I learned from our tour guides that market places were the center of public life in ancient times as well.

I suffer from what I call “agoraphilia”: love of the market place. Everywhere I’ve ever been in the world, my favorite places have always been the open markets. From Pike Street Market in Seattle to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, I love it all. Around the world, everyone buys food, clothing, household goods, and objects of beauty. But markets are not just trade centers of economic value—they have social importance as well. It’s where people gather for coffee, gossip and fun, where people meet with family and business partners, children help their parents and even play.

Unfortunately, I think the vendors see me coming from miles away. In Istanbul I spent a fortune on a Turkish carpet, and all I can say is, it better be a magic one that flies. A few days later in Ephesus, we fell prey to Turkish rug shopkeepers who gave us a demonstration of how the rugs were made, wine and tea, but then we were trapped. I made the mistake of asking questions, but then couldn’t make my escape. A carpet that started with a price tag of $11,000 dropped in value incrementally as Dotty and I tried to run down the stairs until the shop owners practically barred the door, offering the carpet for $3,000 or essentially whatever we would pay for it. I probably got royally ripped off for the other one I did buy in Istanbul, but too late now.

We also became mesmerized by the colors and aromas of the spice market. We were offered sips of different kinds of teas, which were so tasty that we decided to purchase some. Before we could even ask the price, they had packaged several kilos of different types of tea and we left loaded down with more tea and spices than we could use for years. Well, I know what everyone will be getting for Christmas this year…

In Greece, the vendors are a lot less aggressive. The goods are just as lovely, and the people watching as much fun, but we are getting a little respite from the tourist-eating frenzy.

Not haggling may be less exciting but it’s still fun to spend money on stuff you don’t need and which may not mean anything to the recipients of these tchotchkes, but you’ll always have those wonderful market memories to keep you smiling.