The Souq. In 1382, over 600 years ago it was where merchants gathered, relaxed and made deals, today the district is a major tourist attraction. Tourists, students, couples, and local visitors treasure the privilege of indulging in this exceptional exper

The Souq

Veins of colors, turquoise, jade and scarlet threads artistically woven and braided into staggering symmetrical patterns on the carpets. Contemporary voguish handbags were juxtaposed with traditional paintings that reflect the dense magnificent history of the Egyptian people. Eccentric spices and herbs empowered with lavish colors, flavors and aroma were exhibited in straw sacks in many of the Souqs shops; red paprika, sumac, saffron, cinnamon, cloves and so many more riches paraded the alleys like breathtaking proud angels in the pageant of magic and magnificence. Gorgeous gold bracelets, striking silver charms, picturesque pearl rings and pendants of outlandish fine-looking semi-precious stones from ruby and amber to turquoise and jasper posed on the kiosks anticipating their purchase. The most humble individual will metamorphose into a regal, majestic prince upon adorning these scenic jewels. Ali Baba and the thirty thieves secret has been exposed, and the cave's treasure that was once veiled, concealed and magically sealed is now open for the public to browse through in the Khan el-Khalili Souq.

Clattering and clinking coins bordered and dangled from two separated pieces of seductive red cloth to form a mesmerizing belly dancing outfit that was put on display hand in hand with her partner the drum. Raqs Sharqi, the Egyptian traditional dance that celebrates the power and sensuality of a mature woman can be witnessed on undersized television screens and sold on DVD's. Portraits, posters and paintings of Sadat and Abdel Naser previous kings of Egypt dominated the shops interior and overthrew all opponents on the walls with their supremacy. The eye becomes infatuated and joyful by the superior, meticulously carved Islamic wooden arts and crafts, admiring them like a devoted mother gazes tenderly at her daughter. The Souq is a school, the purveyors are the teachers and the contents of the shops are the books, and they are all passionate and dedicated to the study of orientalisim.

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In 1382, over 600 years ago it was where merchants gathered, relaxed and made deals, today the district is a major tourist attraction. Tourists, students, couples, and local visitors treasure the privilege of indulging in this exceptional experience in the Khan el-Khalili market. "This is so much more than just a shopping district!" a tourist excitedly blurts out the obvious to his fellow companion. The invitation to smell, taste and touch everything seduces and lures individuals; there is no transparent glass shelter keeping you away from the product and nobody jumping out from behind the counter stopping you from enjoying the experience. The Khan el Khalili souq is far beyond than just a commercial quarter it is festival in its own, a celebration of culture, tradition and history merged with the new, modern and ordinary. People travel across the world to a country that holds one of the wonders of the world, Egypt…they move through the disorganized, perilous roads of Cairo, engage in battle with the shameless taxi-driver who insists on overcharging, and upon arrival are faced with huge crowds and incredible masses of people but in the end it's all worth it, every minute.

Entertainers of all ages crammed every path. Innocent credulous children brimmed with amusement as they were magnetized by skillful magicians performing tricks and adults observed an elderly man cuddling his "oud", stroking and caressing her strings to sing a melodious story. Small workshops and mini-factories are discovered within the shops by curious explorers; here people witness the creation of many products from delicacies such as endearing perfume bottles and the adornment of exquisite metal lanterns to the knitting of scarves and painting of portraits. The rub of Aladdin's lamp and the endowment of the djinni are unnecessary since the magic of Arabia already permeates the Souq and spreads its influence fulfilling willful wishes and lifetime dreams.

Souvenirs in the form of sculptures, photographs and paintings of the pyramids and the sphinx inhabited every corner of the market. An army of warriors led by the majestic pharaoh were depicted upon textured prehistoric Egyptian paper, papyrus whilst mementos of Tutankhamen and Cleopatra conquered and occupied the Souq with their vast numbers. These tourist items are transported throughout the Souq using primitive means, from one point to another; heavy boxes are fixed on a donkey's back and led by young vendors to certain locations as though the very items have been carried back to the Ancient world.

As the sun ascends the weather becomes warm and humid, the nose encounters a smell that is composed of sweat odor, spice aroma and a perfume scent, and the peaceful silence is broken by starved cats purring, human laughter, arguments and conversation. A couple of fine-looking foreign female tourists receive a few marriage proposals from desperate Egyptian men working at the Souq whilst few pick-pockets unite to discuss personal matters, previous gains and establish new strategies to embezzle people. A young child has lost his mother; he cries, screams and begs for her to come back, as he runs between tourists and locals' giant legs and comes across scary strange faces.

A gullible man that has recently been taught the art of bargaining recaps his lesson by repeating those very words in his head…"slash vendors price in half and raise the new price to a maximum of 20%". Each purveyor has a distinct technique of attracting buyers, pushy annoying vendors call out the prices of their goods, other more civilized suppliers wait for buyers to approach them. Some persistent shop-owners publicize the contents of their stores like reporters rushing to broadcast the latest outcomes of their assignment and others sing and chant rhymes like a group of fans supporting their players though a championship. As the sun descends foreigners and locals rest in traditional coffee shops and enjoy sipping their Turkish coffee and puffing their 'sheesha' while admiring and cherishing the present moment and watching bargain hunters and profit cravers struggling to reach a solution.

The Souq has a limited, confined space where there is a tight mass of buildings; too packed for roads to intersect them, however this extravaganza allows people to travel to a time and place never felt, never seen, a place that has no beginning, no end and no limits in amusement. The Souq embraces everything and anything that the eye can possibly feast on, from precious sparkling jewels and exotic fabrics to enchanting folkloric displays and authentic coffee shops.

1050 words.