Aleppo’s labyrinthine souqs – or rather souqs within a souq – have long been one of our favorites in the Middle East, mainly because it has remained relatively untouched by tourism up until recent years – especially compared to Istanbul’s Grand Bazzar and Cairo’s Khan el Khalili. The medieval souqs are where locals shop for … Read more about Aleppo’s labyrinthine souqs
One of travel’s delights for me is discovering wonderful incongruities. Like this coffee-seller in Aleppo Souq. While there’s nothing unusual about finding coffee-sellers in Syrian souqs, they’re usually armed with a traditional coffeepot or thermos, tiny ceramic or plastic cups, and a container of fresh water to wash them in. What’s so incongruous about this … Read more about Travelling: incongruities #1
Taroudant is a wonderful walled town east of Agadir on the way to Ouarzazate in Morocco. If you’re doing a road trip from Marrakesh to the Sahara make sure you stop overnight. There’s a small bustling souq that rarely sees foreigners, and yet the stallholders have a relaxed demeanour. The best buy here is handmade … Read more about Taroudant: the hot chip man
This is a little shop that’s typical of many in Aleppo’s atmospheric souq, selling everything from medicinal herbs and dried lizard skins to Clairol hair colors and loofahs for the hammam. it’s a bit like a Boots pharmacy really, only the service is better. Have you ever tried to carry your groceries on your head? … Read more about Aleppo: souq pharmacy
This is Marrakesh souq around midday Friday, when everyone is at prayers. It’s the only time you ever really notice the light filtering through the roof and how wide the ‘narrow’ lanes are. When the souq is in business it’s chaotic. A cacophony of colour, sounds, and smells. You can’t think. You can’t move. You … Read more about Marrakesh souq midday Friday