Cairo Egypt June 1999
June of 1999 found me in Cairo again with Joe Blanton, Juner Sioco and Dick Brannan. This was my third trip to Egypt. As we had twice before, we stayed at the Sheraton in Heliopolis just outside of Cairo. We had our usual driver, Monsour, who could get us anywhere we want to go with a minimum amount of trouble.
I still have not met any Americans who drive around Cairo by themselves. Most of the pictures below are of us shopping in the Khan Al-Khalili in Cairo, the main bazar and oldest in Cairo. You can find everything there – it is where the locals go for food and supplies and it is also where every tourist should go for gold, perfume, papyrus, spices, linens
By the way once you have worked hard to bargain with the shop owner, never go next door and ask what the same item is worth – you will disappointed.
Click on any photo to see a larger view
Joe, me, Monsour, and Dick. Check out our nice ride. Most of the cars in Cairo have the side rear view mirrors removed (or they just drive around for a few minutes and have the mirrors knocked off)
Ancient Khan Al-Khalili
The shop vendors in the Khan Al-Khalili are very nice and it is traditional for them to make you some tea and to have some polite small talk before getting down to business of price. Start with half of what the price is, that is the way they do business and it does not offend them for you to offer half price.
Juner, Monsour, Joe and me in a perfume shop in the Khan Al-Khalili. Many of the essential oils used in perfume made in France come out of Egypt. To make the perfume, just mix small portions of essential oils together and then add in some alcohol to make more.
In the shops they can make any kind of perfume found in Europe. I got perfume for my wife; I am not sure what Joe did with his.
Juner and me in the Khan Al-Khalili in front of a gold shop. Many of the vendors there know Juner by sight even though he only goes there once a year. At the gold shops, you buy the gold based on type and weight, the craftsmanship is not counted.
Another picture like above so we could get a picture of Juner and Monsour, who have been friends for a long time.
When shopping, Monsour, could always get a much better deal the any of us could. Overall, though, shopping in the Khan Al-Khalili is much cheaper than buying souvenirs in a hotel or tourist trap.
Dick and Juner out for their 10-minute smoke break.
A typical alley scene in the Khan Al-Khalili. You have to hold on to your wallet and not let every street vendor drag you to his shop.
Another alley scene in the Khan Al-Khalili. The smell of good food, perfumes and unusual spices is overwhelming.
Only the brave should eat food from a street vendor. Juner is the bravest, I want to live long and prosper.
Me and Monsour, having a good time. He was probably giving me some shopping tips, like how to buy a nice shirt.
Water pipes (Hubble bubble pipes) are for sale everywhere in the Khan Al-Khalili. I have smoked a water pipe in Egypt but did not see fit to bring one home with me.
Juner walking through the Khan Al-Khalili. The Khan is very old, many of the vendors live there also.
This is one place not to miss when you are in Cairo!
Also See Other Trips to Egypt in 2005