Browsing at Morgana's Antiques

I got up early this morning and captured this pic of my surrounding neighborhood from my balcony. Cairo being the metropolis that it is, is a city teeming with dense real estate where the practicalities of development "build up" vice "build out".



Since I was up anyways, I walked a couple blocks to get some freshly baked Egyptian bread that looks similarly like pita bread. It's sooo good hot and freshly baked!

Being a thrift and antiques lover that I am, I jaunted over to Morgana's to see if anything new had come in that would strike my fancy AND be within budget. I love how other people's relics can be deemed treasures for moi! Here's what I liked:

I liked this Egyptian clock with the Arabic numbers.

Or this collapsible inlaid wood chess and scrabble board....

This antique stand up desk phone....

I opened this leather case to discover that ....

it was filled with a grooming kit in finished silver....

I thought this 7" pewter mummy's case was intriguing.

I loved this antique manual typewriter!

But the only thing I purchased today was this Arabian pewter pitcher that matched a smaller one I had at home. I thought it was exotic and loved all the flourishes etched on the exterior. Below are more purchases that I've bought at Morgana's in the past:

This antique copper Egyptian cooking vessel (used to cook dried beans or "fuul")....

This handcrafted Egyptian lantern....

This genie lamp that I find myself buying more of (a girl can't have too many)....

This wine bottle holder....

And last, but not least, is this antique Arabian brass bowl with kewl Middle Eastern details.

Masalama (good-bye), Morgana. Rest assured I'll be back to visit again!

Shopping at Mokattam Hills Recycling Center

Following my Coptic Churches tour, I went to the Recycling Center in Mokattam Hills, an area in greater Cairo where Garbage City is located. The Recycling Center is on the tourist circuit, because it's a section of Garbage City that rakes in monies for various charities in the community that focuses on the poor. In 1984, the Association for the Protection of the Environment (A.P.E.) registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs in Egypt. A.P.E. is a private voluntary organization that promotes environmentally safe waste management by "empowering garbage collectors, particularly women, children, and youths to manage a viable system of household waste including recycling in Egypt through comprehensive development: health, education, social, economic, and cultural programs to become better agents of change for a better environment." In a nutshell this group teaches women, who normally would not be able to support themselves, a craft trade such as weaving, quilting, and sewing so that they can lead independent lives and provide for their families. They create hand crafted items out of remnant materials, not thrown away in the garbage, but from cloth manufacturing factories that donate discarded material. In part, these women hand craft rugs, bags, clothing, wall hangings, and quilts via a small systematic production line. These items are then sold in a back storeroom where tourists and locals can purchase said items, and effectively fund the charities that A.P.E. sponsors. These programs include pre-schools and nurseries for indigent families; literacy programs and after school classes for people who didn't go to school; social activities and summer camps for impoverished children; awareness programs for adolescent girls to reduce the number of early marriages; treatment programs for mother-baby care and Hepatitis C patients; and prevention programs for infant mortality and hygiene care. It was wonderful knowing that the hand crafted kitchen rugs, wall hangings, and quilts I purchased at bargain prices were going to earn revenue for this charitable group, thus overriding any buyer's remorse I may have developed later. Finally! A worthy reason to go shopping!!

European Christmas Bazaar in Cairo

This has been a busy week-end amid a flurry of yuletide cheer as I attended several Christmas parties and the annual European Christmas Bazaar at the Conrad Hilton Hotel. There are over 100 embassies in Cairo, and each year the European embassies get together to host a charity bazaar at Christmas time. It was a splendid wintry morning in the high 60's F, as I headed downtown to shop to my heart's content.

The Conrad had white-lit Christmas trees throughout its lobby; an anomaly in the Middle East.

My first purchase was a homemade gingerbread loaf from this charming Gingerbread House.

The Christmas Bazaar was packed with so many international sponsors and shoppers!

I liked this homemade sign that was displayed at the Russian table.



I thought Hungary selling food was funny. Hungry folks for Hungary! LoL.

They also had some delightful handmade Christmas items for sale.

Greece had a plethora of delightful yuletide treasures too.

I have a weakness for funny holiday hats, so I bought this cap on the spot!

There were plenty of vino to be had, as each country hawked their international brands.

These Canadians sold an assortment of handmade aprons, bags, and hats. Needless to say, I broke down and bought me a colorful apron.

I thought these powdered figs from the Montenegro table looked like little wreaths and were very clever!

I started getting hungry by the time I made it to the Serbian table. I ordered a hamburger, which came out looking exotic. I loved the pita-like buns. My Serbian burger was juicy and delish!

Switzerland had a baked potato and cheese stand, and used - what else? - Swiss cheese! LoL.

While the Irish sold Irish coffee. Yummers!

Norway sold baked goods and Christmas decorations.

Spain sold vino, sangria, and tapas (appetizers).

The Czech Republic sold elaborate crystal ware.

I bought a pair of these hand carved angels from the Slovakia table.

Hansel and Gretel (LoL) were selling homemade German gingerbread cookies. Needless to say, I bought several of these!

Loved these homemade Christmas Trees from Portugal's table! I bought one of these too!

Belgium sold - duhhhh - Belgium waffles!

It was the perfect day for the Christmas Bazaar! The temp was just right since it was held outside on the Conrad's expansive patio area.

Before I left, I enjoyed the festive Christmas carols sung by the charity bazaar's sponsors. It was a nice touch.

I'm sooo glad that I attended this event, bc for a few hours I forgot that I lived in the Middle East.... the Spirit of Christmas was alive and well at the Conrad Hilton Hotel!