Day 2 First Day Part 3 Optional Market and Meal at Zeeyara Restaurant

 After the Egyptian Museum we got to go back to the hotel and relax a little before  jumping in the bus again to visit the Khan el-Khalili Market.  I really enjoy looking at things out the bus window and always try to take a few pictures just to remind me of the neighborhoods I have passed through and of the kinds of things I saw.

So these are just random shots out of the window on the way to the market.

In the evenings Cairo seems to really come to life.

I would have loved to have a chance to look at some of the fabric stores we passed by.

This is really a pretty typical street corner with a shop with bins of fresh produce.

The market has many, many shops, but also includes mosques and other historic buildings.

Our little group pressed into the narrow road accompanied by our faithful security guard who insured that we were all safe and secure. (Note the 2A sign held by our guide to help us find the way.)

Once again we didn't really have time to luxuriate in the atmosphere, but there were certainly interesting things to see in the very small part of the Suq (market) that we visited.

Periodically we got information about a mosque or important building.

I can't imagine buying anything in this window, but I love the idea of it!

This is a bit of a fuller view of the street.

I'm not sure what these are, but they are striking.

And I think this is a furniture store, but am completely confused by the mannequins. It looks a little George Romero-ish.

Eventually we made our way to the restaurant Zeeyara. Our host was friendly and took good care of us.

We had a family style meal and got our first chance to try genuine Egyptian fare.

There was a delicious tomato soup and some okra that was absolutely delicious.

The restaurant has a nice outdoor patio as well as an indoor seating area where we sat.

It was a wonderful experience. The restaurant is affiliated with (according to our guide) the only hotel in the Suq. It had lovely decor, which we got to view a bit as we climbed and descended the stairs.

I could SO live there!

It was getting dark when we left and the lights gave the market a romantic glow.

As we wound through the narrow streets we got to see a dervish whirling in the distance down one of the side streets.

What follows are a few random shots that I tried to catch even though it was too dark to get a good shot.

As we left we could see hundreds of people crowding parts of the market. I couldn't get a decent shot of them, but it was amazing that so many people crowded the area!

After a short bus ride home we collapsed into bed at our hotel and slept like rocks. The next day would be busy and we would get to see our first pyramid close up!