Today we spent our time touring Old Islamic Cairo.
Here is a picture of one of the artisans at the Fustat Traditional Craft Center. This craftsman is working on an ornate brass piece. We also saw woodworkers, people making stucco stain glass, quilting and more.
After another great traditional Egyptian lunch, we shopped at the bazaar. What a trip! It was cramped with vendors all vying for our money. You almost need to walk down the isle with blinders on because the minute you show any interest, the vendor are in hot pursuit.
Here we are barefoot and scarved with our guide at a Al-Azhar Mosque which was built in the 900’s . This mosque is on the grounds of the largest and oldest Islamic University in the world. Ahmed, our guide, is a Nubian fellow who has his masters in Egyptology. According to him, guides make a better living than doctors and engineers.
Dennis and Tommy treated us to a delicious meal of kushary, a mix of pasta, rice, lentils, chic peas, and caramelized onions topped with a tomato ragout. After dinner we headed to the Stars Mall. This upscale, seven story mall stays open until midnight. We left around 9:45 pm, and it was still packed, many families with small children.
A few words about Egyptian security… Police with rifles are everywhere. I was shocked when we picked Ann and Mary Kay up at their hotel that security checked our car for bombs. Even when we entered the mall, our purses were x-rayed, and we were required to walk through metal detectors.
This is the Mohamed Ali Mosque built in the mid 1800’s inside the Citadel.
Here is a picture of one of the artisans at the Fustat Traditional Craft Center. This craftsman is working on an ornate brass piece. We also saw woodworkers, people making stucco stain glass, quilting and more.
After another great traditional Egyptian lunch, we shopped at the bazaar. What a trip! It was cramped with vendors all vying for our money. You almost need to walk down the isle with blinders on because the minute you show any interest, the vendor are in hot pursuit.
Here we are barefoot and scarved with our guide at a Al-Azhar Mosque which was built in the 900’s . This mosque is on the grounds of the largest and oldest Islamic University in the world. Ahmed, our guide, is a Nubian fellow who has his masters in Egyptology. According to him, guides make a better living than doctors and engineers.
Dennis and Tommy treated us to a delicious meal of kushary, a mix of pasta, rice, lentils, chic peas, and caramelized onions topped with a tomato ragout. After dinner we headed to the Stars Mall. This upscale, seven story mall stays open until midnight. We left around 9:45 pm, and it was still packed, many families with small children.
A few words about Egyptian security… Police with rifles are everywhere. I was shocked when we picked Ann and Mary Kay up at their hotel that security checked our car for bombs. Even when we entered the mall, our purses were x-rayed, and we were required to walk through metal detectors.
Old Islamic Cairo looks amazing. The
ReplyDeleteMohamed Ali Mosque is beautiful. Got to go shopping too? Looks like a really fun day. Fun,Fun,Fun!!! Sounds like they take security seriously.They need to.
The meal Dennis and Tommy treated you to looks so delicious.
Love Ya, Della