Whether it is the replicas and relics of ancient Egypt or possessions used by the current Islamic culture, many items seen in Egypt can not be found in America. However, also, unlike the United States, bargaining is the most used form of pricing. This can intimidate most people and at first is a very daunting task. After a few exchanges with the people, however, deciding your own price becomes fun and a challenge. At almost every place from the street vendors to the shops in the hotels, bargaining is used as the main method of pricing and, by the end of a
stay in Egypt, Americans are able to pick out the better and worse places to shop and bargain. Although not the best place to shop for quality items, if a person wants an Egyptian shopping experience, the Khan al-Khalili is the tourist bazaar which will be the most memorable.
(Items that can be bought at the bazaar)
Located in Cairo, the Khan al-Khalili is created of over 1,000 shops and vendors. After digging up a royal cemetery and dumping the bodies in the designated trash area to obtain the land, it was started by Garaks al-Khalili in the late 14th century. Because Egypt at the time was the center of trade between the west and the east, merchants flocked from all over to sell their merchandise. Since then, this particular bazaar has only grown and continued to serve as a place of trade between the Egyptians and western people. Currently the Khan al-Khalili is a tourist bazaar.
(Items that can be bought at the bazaar)
However, it has kept the shopping and bargaining traditions of the people of Egypt. Before entering the bazaar one should be warned that the people are very aggressive about selling their items.
The Egyptians are not shy in touching a person to get their attention or pulling people into their shops.
Because of the Egyptians’ perceptions about risqué and wealthy Americans, comments are sometimes made about us and bargaining is tough.
However, this only adds to the adventure and excitement that can be found in this bazaar. The Egyptians want to learn from us just as much as we want to learn from them. Therefore, if one is willing to sit and talk with these people, they will find that they are very personable and only are aggressive for business purposes. If anyone ever truly needed help, all of the Egyptians would put aside their business attitude and would be willing and able to do anything that person needed. Some of the most unusually items can be found here, and with so many shops, everything from tourist trinkets to authentic Egyptian currently used items can be found in one place.
(Shops right outside of the bazaar)
BY: Tiffany Crow
