This evening we were invited by some friends to visit the square outside the Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein at sunset to witness Iftar. We arrived at about 5.30pm to take in the build-up to sunset (including the continuous stream of bread deliveries), and as the call from the Mosque went out just after 6pm were there to see everyone breaking their fast.
We then took a walk around the streets and alleyways of Khan El-Khalili after dark, stopping at the legendary Fishawi coffee shop. According to local lore, it has been open continuously (as in 24/7) for the last 240 years without every closing its doors. This may explain the constant stream of people moving through - both as customers and hawkers bent on selling their souvenirs and henna tattoo designs to the ever-present tourists. Locals do, however, frequent the coffee shop for a drink or a shisha and it was interesting to note that they were in the significant minority when we first arrived as they were still breaking their fast. Soon, however, the place really began to fill up.
We wandered some more streets for a while, but later took a taxi back to the nearby metro station which returned us to Maadi. All in all, a thorough assault on the senses, alngside great company.
1 comment:
Your Iftar experience looks very exciting, all the people, the bread, the noises and smells. What a great thing to share with friends. And what did you have to eat that evening? hope yu managed to get some of that great loking bread.
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