Egyptian Essences.....or how to capture a Man, Egyptian style!!!

Ok….Yesterday I said I knew why Cleopatra lived in Alexandria and today I know how she was able to capture two of the most famous men/leader during her time.  It wasn’t her beauty and intelligence alone, noooooo it was the Egyptian essences she used!!!  Essence is another word for perfume in Egypt and here in Egypt perfumes or essences do not contain any alcohol whatsoever.  The essence is 100% pure from the source of either the flowers such as jasmine, rose, lavender, or spices/herbs, such as musk, cinnamon, mint or vanilla.  All essences are highly concentrated so all you need is really a few little drops and it will remain with you all day and if you put it on your clothes it will remain for several days as well. 

So again after finishing one of the tours, Mohamed asks me if I would be interested in going to a special place that sells essences and several types of aromatherapy and massage oils.  I say yes of course! Off we go….

When I get there, the place has the feel of a Bedouin camp located in the countryside of Sakkara.  There are tents everywhere and the garden is full of flowers.  I am immediately attuned to the place.  After being greeted and escorted to one of the tents I find myself seated in a low cushion and to my left are shelves full of bottles of essences.  As customary with Egyptian hospitality nothing begins without a cup of tea, coffee or something to drink and to refuse is considered impolite.  I ask for tea and they bring me a wonderful cold red hibiscus tea….



Delicious Hibiscus Tea

Now the show begins, my host shows me a numbered list of all the essences they have and they are grouped by flowers, mixes of smells and others. (Kristen, somehow I think you would have loved this experience and would have definitely put it on YOUR blog….lol).  He begins explaining what some of the names on the list are such as Queen Cleopatra, Secret of the Flowers, Secret of Desires, Omar Sharif, etc.  He explains the process, he will put a drop on one of my fingers, I should rub the finger and smell and before smelling the next one I need to clean my “nose” meaning clean the smell from my nose by smelling coffee beans before smelling the next essence.  The first one is Queen Cleopatra and it is rich with smells of jasmine, the next finger is the Secret of Desire which turns out to be Chanel #5 in its pure essence, this was my favorite at the end!! And we continue until I run out of fingers and we begin using my wrist, palms, forearms,..lol, anywhere on my skin I could sample the smells. 

Checking her list, checking it twice.....

I've run out of fingers to sample the essences!!!!

Wow, the coffee beans smell awesome too!

Another favorite smell was the Secret of Desire which my host said it is known as the “Secret of Disaster” because when Egyptian women wear it, Egyptian men are so bewitched by it that marriage proposals soon follow.  BTW, I’ve received 2 marriage proposals already….but that’s a post for another day…LMAO!!!

You said how much?? LMAO!!

After an hour or so of this, I settle on which essences I want and of course by now you should know what follows….???  THE BARGAINING!!! Yes, the bargaining of the price follows.  Back and forth, with my host telling me how bad the situation is that I am the first and only customer of the day, yada yada yada, I say no, he goes out to speak with the owner (sort of like when you are buying a car in the US and the sale rep tells you I’m going to check with my Sales manager and then he comes back with a figure and you say no and it’s this back and forth process….lol..)…in the meantime, Mohammed occasionally speaks to my host in Arabic telling him I don’t know what but he does help me by saying Julie is a businesswoman, if you give it to her at this price….she will agree.  He and I exchange looks and I say yes,  my host sighs with relief and we shake hands and it’s a deal….I’m taking home wonderful original Egyptian essences!!! Kristen you need to come over so you can smell all of them!!! 

Ok let's get serious, this is what I'm paying and that's it!

Hand made carpeting.......gorgeous!

While they are preparing my bottles, I walk around the gardens and absorb the smells and look at the beautiful handmade carpets and tapestries that are made by local Carpet schools in the area (the weaving and colors are beautiful!).  I have been there too long and run out of time to sample the aromatherapy oils but perhaps I’ll return another day…

I think I'll take a quick nap.....Zzzzzzz

After a while everything is ready for me and we leave this wonderful little piece of heaven having experienced another unique bit of Egypt.  I thank Mohamed for bringing me here and I am a happy woman…..
Tomorrow I get to spend my Birthday in Egypt, what an awesome experience!....Life is Good!

Redheaded Lady