Trading goods in foreign markets and saving money

Save money on items in souks and market places abroad. Take some of the latest jeans or other gadgets when going on vacation.  I took some American jeans and traded them in the  Istanbul souk for some great gifts. I took 2 cartons of American cigarettes to an upscale jewelry store in Jerusalem and bargained like mad.  The store owner was so impressed that he offered me a job on the spot.  Unfortunately, I was leaving soon and couldn’t accept it.  I did  get some lovely gold items from  his shop.  As a nurse, I wouldn’t take cigarettes again.
When I went to Egypt, our guide told us about the nurses before us, having to take a long bus trip  to a site, when the airplanes were on strike.  He dreaded their return that evening, fearing he would hear nothing but complaints. Imagine his surprise when the nurses were so excited and said it was one of the best days of their lives. A  nomadic caravan was in the desert and the bus stopped for it. The nurses got out, traded about everything on and with them, for lovely treasures from the desert, including jewelry and clothing. What a fantastic experience they had!
Surprisingly, my kids t-shirts have been popular in Asia. This is a money saving tip, which is fun to do,