After several days being in and around Merida, Progreso, and many small towns on the peninsula, I can't help but to notice a set of unconventional marketing tactics employed by many locals to sell their home made merchandise. "Gorilla Marketing" as it may be termed is the use of unusual or unconventional marketing tactics in order to gain product awareness and sell their product. For instance, merchants around the market in Merida often adapt and use weird trinkets to make interesting sounds that attract your attention to their merchandise instead of their competitors. One noise made today mimicked a baby crying! Of course I looked towards the sound and sure enough it was a merchant with a gadget in his mouth making the sounds of a crying baby! These merchants are not at all afraid to try an in your face approach walking up to you and exhibiting their merchandise as if attempting to show the products use and legitimacy. All this together makes for a very interesting experience walking down the street. Be aware of any odd sounds coming from around you because it is probably a merchant attempting to gain exposure. Contrary to the thousands of advertisements one is forced to view in the states, merchants here use completely different tactics to make their products sell!

Cheers!

Brandon