Down in the Souk
Khan al-Khalili, the medieval souk. I arrived early, before shops opened. This way, I could scope the area out. It seemed worlds away from Zamelek, or Maydan Tahrir. Mosques inhabit much of the surrounding area, and at the end of the street is al-Azhar, which I definitely plan on spending a day in later on. Women and men were more conservatively dress here than anywhere else in the city, and with this symbolic religiosity, I almost felt I was receiving more dignified respect here than I would elsewhere. I didn't buy anything. Somewhat pathetic, but, even though it's a tourist hotspot, many of the wares are simply daily purchases for lower class Egyptians. Underwear. Bread. Baby clothing. The pace became more frenetic upon leaving, but I shall probably be back.
posted by Sasha @ 19:10
7 Comments:
yowza, you're prolific.
while i've been making the transition from hot to iced coffee, you've been doing all the requisite navigating and nesting neccessary to successfully shed your suburbanite ways (admit it, you miss your jetta wagon and silk soy) and make your self at home in the heat, pollution, and frenzy of the civilized third-world. WTG (that's geezer computer speak for "way to go". don't worry, i'll refrain from using emoticons ;) oops.
am thrilled you're having such a great time. looks like your inital risk/reward assessment was right.
don't rule out the market opportunities of the souk. leo would love a kalasiris provided you could find one with a number on it. he continues to drag around "toy sasha" in your absence - apparently, he misses you (as we all do). can't wait to see and read more. take care and have fun. all best, nancy
Ha. One question, what's a kalasiris. I will totally be back to the Khan, any requests welcome. Maybe my shopping ventures will allow you to dress Leo and Anna in full Islamic get-up this fall. Is "toy Sasha" that creepy plastic figurine with red hair?
My pal Eyad went to Damascus to visit his grandparents when he was little, recalling only the flies, cats and beggars, but is esctatic about his upcoming trip. Perhaps our selective memories evade reality. Even dull the postives.
Take care, keep reading, and give Anna and Leo my kisses.
it's the "man-dress" lots of eqyptian men wear - including the the boy pictured in your 6.8 blog. although, i think it also refers to the woman's garment.
toy sasha is indeed said creepy figure complete with necktie and sweater vest. i choose to believe it's the short red hair, bright eyes, and friendly face that remind leo of you -and not the fashion sense.
i think, ultimately, we remember what we feel. what we internalize. certainly, the squalid and depressing make an extremely large emotional impact. i remember being floored that people lived the way they did - drinking and bathing in said infested nile-water and begging for their subsistance. while i empathized with the people i saw and encountered it was hard to truly imagine walking in their shoes. sounds like the boy from yesterday got your wheels spinning too.
regardless of the types of experiences to come, my guess is that you'll carry images and revelations from this trip for many years to come.
rock on, n+co
Where can I get a "toy Sasha"? Hey Sash, Jen here. I am so happy for you, and a bit envious. Your pics are amazing so far. How are the language classes going? I bet you are going to just absorb it all.
Keep us posted. I'll let you know when your billionth cousin, Liam, makes his grand entrance!
Love - Jen
Hey JEN!
Awesome to here from you, I was hoping the URL made through the convulutions of emails, considering your travel and language expertise.
I can't wait for Mr Liam, and I am sorry I won't be able to see him after his grand entrance, but it is on my "to do" list when I return. You'll have to email me a pic, and I can perhaps post it here?
I haven't even started classes yet, but Sunday I will. Already, I feel my brain is thinking right to left, and late into the night I have Arabic ringing the back of my head. These words, and sounds, in Arabic, and I don't know what they mean, but they are there. And just being on the street for nearly a week now, I find myself totally absorbing, and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together unconsciously.
But from our orientation today, this program looks even more fantastic. There are in total, about 80 students, with 25 full time, and 5 part time teachers. You can do the math. The head of the program just continued to emphasis the constant availibility of individual attention, and encouraged seeking that help, so as not to slip back.
And there will be different electives, and special afterschool programs with different focuses, whether that be reading, speaking, writing, whatever. And in school to. So, I can't wait for classes to start, and I'll be doing Modern Standard Arabic in class, and simultaneously picking up on Egyptian Colloquial while here.
Anywho. Thanks for checking in and definitely keep reading and posting and take care.
Only a few weeks to go?
Sash
Apparently I'm forgetting English, "hear." I am perfectionistic with this blog in that sense.
"Toy Sashas" will become available in in KB Toys, Toys R' Us, Wal- Mart and other retail outlets across the nation in time for the holiday shopping season.
Riddled with typos...I need a professional editor.
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