Entering the Bazaar we came to one of the centuries old gateways.
The corridors through the bazaar were very narrow and filled with lounging chatting store owners (they ALL seemed to be men). The beverage of choices was very concentrated coffee.
Groups strolling through the markets included shoppers of all ages.
Types of goods were clustered into sections of the Bazaar. This was the fabric center.
Some of the walkways seemed like narrow city streets with shops, stalls and tables full of goods
A mother and child pause along a side street.
A young boy selling bread from atop his head
A leather table with purses and billfolds. Transactions always involve negotiating the price.
A colorful and scented spice shop with locals making purchases. The exotic aromas beckoned us to enter.
A familial scene in the midst of the market.
The colors and smells of the spices added a pungent element to the atmosphere. The green powder to the left is Henna.
The bazaar was filled with shops for smoking accessories.
The intensity of the bazaar resulted in part from the simultaniety of the many interactions all going on in a very small space.
Shop owners seemed to live on the front stoop of their shop where they would converse with others.
More hubbly- bubbly
Smoking apple flavored tobacco in these large water pipes took place in almost every bar and tea house we saw in the bazaar (and elsewhere). Indeed this pleasant smell became quite familiar to us.
Local shop owners engaged in conversation.
Some of the centuries-old architecture still remains throughout the area.
Another of the classic gates into the bazaar.
Women in burkhas were frequently seen, but discretely taking a photo was a challenge.
The glow emminating from the brass shops was amazing, this is an unretouched photo.
At the end of our visit, we had a small cup of strong tea down one of those winding bazaar corridors. Using the nearby public bathroom was unique as after using the open ceramic hole toliets, people washed their hands, their feets, and faces, all in the sink.
As night fell, the market took on a different tone as the lighting changed and sounds and smells really emerged.
Right outside the bazaar was a mosque that seemed to be a meeting place for many of the locals.
Thil illumination of the mosque was very cool.
The mosque tower at night.
A peek inside the mosque as worshipers pray.
The next morning we headed to the Citadel to learn more of the local history and visit more centers of Muslim culture. Here are some children driving their cart along the way.
Bringing goods to the Bazaar.
The Mohammad Ali Mosque in the citadel.
Here is a look into the Muslim burial grounds just outside the Citadel.
A a beautifully built striped minaret.
Entering the Mohammad ALi Mosque was a very hot and dry proposition. It was 38C and exposed to sun up on the top of a central bluff.
Inside the Mohammad Ali mosque, a view of the celing dome.
As we entered the mosque the floor was fully carpeted and we were required to remove our shoes. Women needed their arms fully covered. It was tough to convince the guards that we had two boys. The lighting was not very well conceived and these globes seemed a bit trite.
The courtyard of the mosque was wide and austere offering a wonderful space to contemplate the infinite.
Looking upwards at the minarets.
An amazing view of the city could be had from the citadel, note the pyramids in the haze to the left.
Here is a composite panorama looking out from the citadel.
A view of the mosque from another place in the citadel
Inside the second mosque was a wonderful inlayed wall. This was one of the few parts of the mosque that had not been stripped and removed by Mohammad Ali.
Closeup of the central portion of the mosque.
Vey closeup view allows you to see the intricate architectural detail and complex patterning.
A view from the inside of the mosque.
Detail of the arcitecture of the mosque. Note the wood celing. This originally had a beautiful blue ceramic covering that was stripped by Mohammad Ali.
This was the smallest and oldest of the mosques, that of Suleyman Pasha. It has the most impressive visual interior.
The dome and centerpiece of the mosque was ornate and in great shape after hundreds of years (and a recent renovation by a dedicated and talented art student who repainted the ceiling).
Close up of the front wall, note the stained glass, carpet and copy of the Koran.
Closeup of the celing and the carefully positioned windows that provided a warm light throughout the structure.
Very close up on the celing detail
A view of the left side of the mosque and its wall design
As we crossed the bridge to head back to our hotel we paused for a view of the Nile. Note on the left a Christian church right next to a Mosque. This is emblematic of the city of Cairo.