Khan el Khalili - Cairo
Cairo 's Khan al-Khalili market is one of the great bazaars of the Middle East . The caravanserai (khan) was built by Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382. A caravanserai was a sort of hotel for traders, and usually the focal point for economic activity for any surrounding area. Khan el Khalili in the middle ages was the last stop before the caravans headed out into the deserts of Egypt . It was the most important place to stock up on the food and water. It was the center for trading goods like spices, silks, gems, and other valuables that the caravans would take to and bring from journeys to Jerusalem , Baghdad , Persia , and as far as Afghanistan , India , and China . The caravanserai is still there in the narrow street of Sikkit Khan el-Khalili and Badestan. Off Sikkit al-Badistan, the El-Fishawi Cafe, or Cafe of Mirrors is an attraction itself. It was once a meeting place for artists, and frequented by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz.
The Khan is bordered on the south by al-Azhar Street and on the west by the Muski Market. Some of the shops have their own little factories or workshops where they manufacture copper and brassware. Gold and silver smiths can be found here along with the tentmakers. The valuable handicraft coexists impeccably amidst the bazaar chaos of rows and rows of Nefertiti, Anubis and Horus in clay or stone, plastic transparent pyramids, real and fake jewelry, belly dancing outfits, cheap design carpets, rubber obelisks lined up in twisting alleyways smelling of spices and perfumes.
quickly delivered from one of the neighbouring cafes. There is no obligation to buy and bargain is part of the fun. 
Even if you don't feel the need to buy anything, just enjoy the spirit in the bazaar and maybe a lunch in the Khan el Khalili Restaurant or a shisha and the delicious Sahleb (a heavy liquid rice pudding with nuts and cinnamon) in Fishawy.
published November 30, 2007
Source: Angela