Friday, February 11, 2011

Photo-Finish Friday --In the Souk

The Khan El Khalili bazaar in Cairo

We had a visit to a souk or bazaar in Cairo. It was crowded, colourful, noisy and filled with sellers making every effort to tempt us with their wares. The moment you show interest in anything or make eye contact they think they've got you.
I didn't buy anything although I was most tempted by the ouds and the hookahs.

18 comments:

David Barber said...

Awesome, Leah. "Natural environments" make the best photos. Great shot!

the Bag Lady said...

It would be difficult for me not to show interest in everything! Especially the flying torsoes.....

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, David. I like these kind, too.

Bag Lady, I hear you. I wanted to look at so many things. I did what I could out the corner of my eye.

Chris said...

Fantastic. Would love to go there!

Chris said...

Oh, and my wife has been lusting for an oud for a couple years now.

Leah J. Utas said...

Chris I really do recommend it. I further recommend you wait a bit longer.

I hope she finds an oud. I wonder how hard it is to get strings for them?

David Cranmer said...

I love walking those kind of streets/markets. I've never been to Cairo but have visited quite a few similar looking places.

Cheryl Kohan said...

What an experience, Leah! I'm really looking forward to more photos...this is a beauty.

Reb said...

The crowds would have done me in, but such cool stuff! I would have had a hard time not looking at everything. The jewellery and the fabrics, oh, so much stuff!

Bossy Betty said...

So much to see! Amazing!

Leah J. Utas said...

David, they are fascinating. I love outdoor markets like this. My favourites are the food markets of the world.

Cheryl, it really was. The whole trip was an eye-opener for a wide-variety of reasons. I have plenty of pics to share.

Reb, it was quite the swarm of humanity. I could look up and see sky so that kept me calm. There was so much to see it was hard to just keep walking.

Bossy Betty, it was a buffet for the senses.

messymimi said...

Haven't been in such a market in years, but i remember the energy and fun. It is very hard to get away without any purchase at all, good for you!

Ron Scheer said...

I've read ME and North African fiction and nonfiction about small businesses like this, family owned, and the complex rituals and etiquette of buying and selling. Would love to just be the fly on the wall and watch for a day.

solarity said...

The first thing I noticed was how the reds and greens echo the colors in the header pic. : )

There's wonderful sense of motion.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

Dawn said...

They would have me at every turn!!!!
Great capture Leah.

Have a great weekend (and enjoy our lovely weather:)

Leah J. Utas said...

Messymimi, the energy bristles in these places.

Ron, me, too.

Mary Anne, I never noticed about the colours until you pointed it out.

Thanks, Dawn. It was hard to resist.

Hilary said...

What a wonderful scene.. the colours, textures, activity and so many interesting items. An oud would be ousome! ;)

Leah J. Utas said...

*ousome* Excellent, Hilary.