I witnessed exactly the same thing a couple of years ago when my wife and I rode a special (steam) excursion through the barrios of Guatemala City. The vendors moved their stalls scant moments before our train went through. Immediately afterward, the market stalls, awnings, and crowds of customers gathered back on the right-of-way - just as if the railroad had never been there. It's an amazing scene, but one that is repeated in a number of third world countries.
I remember a British friend who travelled to Freetown, Serria Leone back in the 1970's telling me that the 2"6" SLGR was "overrun" with market ladies who would sell their goods right on the tracks, reluctantly standing aside as the trains passed through "their" market.
