King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

The Alfama Encounter: Vendors, Visitors, and the Critique of the 'Other' My recent travels through Europe, culminating in a visit to the breathtaking seaside Alfama district of Lisbon, Portugal, provided more than just stunning vistas. It offered a firsthand look at the complex, often challenging, intersection of global tourism, economic disparity, and street commerce. Alfama, like many popular tourist hubs, is a magnet for visitors—locals and foreigners alike—and with them, the ubiquitous presence of street vendors. In Alfama, as I observed elsewhere, a significant number of these merchants were of African descent, often utilising their traditional attire to attract attention. While their enterprise is a testament to the universal drive for economic survival, a particular interaction highlighted a troubling undercurrent that moved beyond simple salesmanship. The Question and the Quip The first instance involved a family of Asian appearance. When approached by a street vendor s...