Who ever created Aladdin has been to the Kahn El Khaleeli market.
Kahn El Khaleeli is one of the only places in old Cairo where it is relatively safe for tourists. Most of the rest of old Cairo is quite impoverished and not really open to outsiders. Which was a real disappointment because it was in the few brief glances we would get of old Cairo when driving by and rare opportunities to visit, like this, that I really felt I was in an ancient city. Sun bleached houses and shacks piled one on top of the other, housing generation upon generation, the dirt streets teeming with people and merchants.
It was so like the movie Aladdin is was hilarious – people yelling at you from every direction trying to sell you things –
“Dates, sugar dates! Sugar dates and pistachios!”
“Fresh fish, get your fish!”
“A pretty necklace for a pretty lady!”
There were even people selling Tupperware! And every time you tried to walk away they’d do anything to try to call you back.
Suffice to say I no longer have room in my suitcases for any clothes at all. Donia and I took our shopping very seriously!
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