Khan El-Khalili , The market, souk....Cairo's shopping mecca through Old Cairo...March 29, 2016

Fatma and me

glass shop

Ahhh..... the market, where the art of negotiating is a must, where you will find the largest amounts of cheapest, cheesiest and tackiest souvenirs imaginable but also amazing treasures by expert craftsmen and women.  But the trick is in finding them ......for navigating through the streets of the market is like walking through Harry Potter's Diagon Alley's wizard world....I'm not kidding!

wooden boxes with mother of pearl inlaids

making Hookahs!

Just look at some of the pictures and you will see what I mean. But all kidding aside, if you are ever in Cairo you must go to Khan El-Khalili even if you don't buy anything. It's a great way to soak up the environment, the atmosphere and get a taste of Egyptian shopping and local food. 




Amazing lamps !

 

ancient doors to the entrance of Cairo

Old Cairo

To get there the best way is to enter through the old Cairo entrance where you will see beautiful remains of the old cobblestone streets and buildings.  Incredibly old authentic doors dating well
over 1,000 years old that transport you back to ancient Roman/Egyptian times and you can almost imagine seeing Marc Anthony and his Roman soldiers guarding and opening those doors to let merchants, visitors and Roman military legions in.
I love history and I love Egypt and although I'm most familiar with the Pharaonic historical periods of Egypt, this Roman history influence of Egypt is also very interesting as well.

Amidst the incredible architectural monuments is a very popular and large mosque called Al-Hakim which was build in 928AD and has impressive minarets on either side of the front of the mosque.

Al-Hakim Mosque

They are the oldest surviving minarets in Cairo.  Truly amazing and a place where many Egyptians come to pray and seek solace but also a place visited by many tourists as well to admire the beauty of the building.

Walking these old streets you begin to see the amazing shops selling silver and brass lamps, hookahs, gold jewelry, handmade wooden boxes, clothing, hand blown glass, scarves, trinkets and many other items. You can spend hours and hours walking up stairs, little alleys, down again....truly Diagon Alley.









You'll find a café here and there.... hookahs are a normal sight in many shapes, colors and designs. and the smell wafts through the air sometimes subtlety and sometimes not.  You'll hear Egyptian/Arabic music flowing through the shops and café as well as the rapid fire Arabic language spoken among the locals.

 

So my journey begins in Egypt and the creative process continues. The environment, the market, the people, the colors inspire me to create another collection for Amoura.  Stay tuned for more of Egypt in the next few days.... I'll be heading to Luxor soon !

 

 

 

Life is Good !

 

Traveling Redheaded Lady......



Egypt Welcomes me back again.... March 26, 2016

Amira, Yara and me

After 17 hours of flying and layover time and add to that another couple of hours for customs, immigration and Cairo traffic, I finally made it to my flat (apartment for the US folks) in Zamalek. The island of Zamalek is a neighborhood in Cairo knows for its trees and home of many schools and embassies.

Youseff and Yara

It's a great place to stay as you have everything within walking distance, the market, restaurants, many coffee shops and unique boutiques. 

Fatma and her big smile

These first 2 days has been all about reconnecting with friends and drinking lots of coffee as we attempt to catch up on the last 2 years since I've been in Egypt and of course about the creative process for Amoura.

Mohamed

Lots of things ahead so stay tuned....for now enjoy these few pictures of Cairo.  I promise more will come in the future. 

The American Embassy

Cairo Street



Tahir Square with Egyptian Museum in rear



Coffee Shop and lots of chocolates!



Street in Zamalek

As always,
the Traveling Redheaded Lady

Egypt here I come again.... ! February 29, 2016

 

That's right !  I'm headed back to Egypt in less than 4 weeks !

That means lots of things to do before I leave ! 

 

Passport  - Check

Accommodations - Check

Clothing - Hmmm not quite

Shoes - Check (comfortable shoes a must with all the walking I'll do....of course anyone that knows me, knows I'll be taking a pair of stilettos as well !...;) )

Gifts for Friends - Almost Check

Excitement - 200% Check !!

 

Yep I'm almost done....lmao !  Not really , still many things to do to get ready to work, create and have a little fun as well.  This time I might explore a different part of Egypt if I have a few days to spare.

 

This will be my 4th trip to the land of ancient mysteries, exotic locations, friendly people, horrible and chaotic traffic, great food, awesome souk (market) shopping and of course the birth of Amoura !

 

Stay tuned as you travel with me and see through my eyes all the wonders Egypt has to offer. 

 

Be back soon !

 

Traveling Redheaded Lady !



Barcelona !!.... Messi, Sagrada Familia, Beach and more Crowds !!!! Part 2

View of the Barcelona Marina

In Barcelona, there are 2 fervent and intense loves, one is for the Sagrada Familia cathedral and eeeeevvverrrything Gaudi and the second is their Barca futbol team!..
 

 

Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family- symbolizing, the Holy Trinity)  is a Catholic Church designed in the Spanish Gothic style by the architect Antoni Gaudi in 1882 and its still being built and not slated for completion until 2026.  Yes you heard it right....the church is not finished yet 133 years later.   Gaudi was killed in an accident when he was run over by a tram in the streets of Barcelona in 1926 before he was able to complete the construction of it.  Since then there has been numerous attempts to finish this incredibly intricate and complex architectural piece that is really indescribable.  You have to see it.  There are plans in place now to finish Gaudi's work and it is estimated that completion of the famous Sagrada Familia will be in 2026, 100 years after Gaudi's death. 

 

If you look at the pictures you will see the intricate detailing of stonework and masonry that is required. It has become difficult to find the craftsmen who are skilled in that kind of work now a days.  Most churches have a façade to them and are designed that way with the front of the church being the central viewpoint.  Gaudi, a highly religions man, designed the Sagrada Familia to have three facades and each of those sides the ability to be the "front " of the church.  There are numerous writings all over the church, inside through the walls, nooks, outside by the windows with religious and biblical quotes and phrases.  Truly an amazing and complex building and one that that is a must to see when in Barcelona.

 

Camp Nou

The other love of all Barcelona people or really Catalan people as they are extremely proud of their heritage and do not consider themselves "Spaniards"...they even want to declare themselves a separate country from Spain...(a long story for another day)  is their city's futbol team, affectionately called "Barça".   One of the most "winniest" teams in futbol leagues around the world, the tour of Camp Nou is also a must to see when in Barcelona.  It's the home of the Argentinian Lionel Messi, considered the best futbal player in the world. Also home to many other excellent players from Brazil (Neymar), Uruguay (Luis Suarez, the "Biter) and of course Shakira's sweetheart, Pique.  Not only is the team a successful futbol franchise, they have turned the stadium tour into a huge money making Barça marketing promotion and business. 

When I went on the tour there were literally thousands of people there as well. It felt like a cross between a Disney World ride and an Ikea showroom.  Everything was synchronized, organized, including the predictable photo opportunity at the beginning of the tour which you pick up at the exit point....very a la "Disney" style. 

The tour opens in this massive store selling everything you can imagine with the Barça logo merchandise.  There is only one way to start the tour and you follow the herd...a la "Ikea" style.  The tour is very well put together. 
Cases and cases filled with trophies won by the team, the history of the creation of the Barça team, videos showing highlights of fantastic shots, the field, in essence; everything you can imagine about the team is on display and open to its fans.  An amazing and very well oiled marking machine !

My buddy Messi !

The trip to Spain is now coming to an end unfortunately but it has been an incredible experience. Very fast paced with lots of stops but saw and did an amazing number of things. The food has been outstanding and I've increased my love for tapas even more after this trip. I also think I've drank my fill of wine for a year (these people don't drink water !! its all wine or caña!) 


Peñiscula, the southwest coast

Toledo, Las Ramblas, Barceloneta Beach, Valencia

Real Madrid!

 


Favorite things along the way were the beautiful Mosque in Cordoba, the Flamenco dance classes and show in Sevilla as well as the magnificent royal palace Alcazar there and the tranquil Montserrat and its beautiful mountain surroundings.   I close with more images of my time in Spain.... Till the next trip....Enjoy !

Valencia, Museum of Arts and Science

Granada



Toledo

Martha, Isabella (Tour Director) and me



Side street of Las Ramblas

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza statue In Madrid

Palacio Real in Madrid

The Traveling Redheaded Lady

 Life is Good !

Redheaded Lady