PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (13)

 ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

The souk, set among fading grand apartment buildings, is a blur of activity from dawn to dusk.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (12)

ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Colors take on a magical tone as dusk approaches over the market in the chilly Mediterranean spring.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (11)

ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Deliveries are more likely to arrive via mule or horse carriage than by truck or van.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (10)

 ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Pathways are so narrow, you have to watch out – lest you knock over the bounty on display.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (9)

 ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Tourists are rarely spotted at the locals market.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (8)

ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Flour, water, salt, heat and love + bake till heavenly.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (7)

  ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Give us our daily bread.

This is a whole grain pita-type bread.

It is baked in a fiery oven streetside.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (6)

 ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

We can attest to the deliciousness of the hot out of the oven bread in Alexandria.

Our trip to Egypt was for business.

But the side trip to Alexandria on the weekend was a gift from our loving wife of a third of a century.

Today is our birthday.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (5)

 ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Because Egypt is an Islamic-majority nation, many shoppers and vendors are in Muslim dress – though very few women wear veils.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (4)

ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

A traveler can learn a lot about a city by visiting its market places.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (3)

ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Located in the center of Alexandria, townspeople gather under ancient, often crumbling buildings of the souk to stock their shelves with fresh fruits and vegetables.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (2)

 ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Souk shoppers stand elbow to elbow on ancient, narrow, pedestrian streets.

PRODUCE AND MEAT MARKET SOUK (1)

 ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Market day means ancient carts, drawn by horse and mule, bringing goods to the belly of Alexandria.

TRADITIONS AND INTRUSIONS -- ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Fatih is one of the most observant areas of old Istanbul.

Women in full Muslim garb is a very common sight.

Fatih also overlaps some of the most popular tourist areas around Sultanahmet Square.

So buildings the surely once housed blacksmiths, tinsmiths, household goods shops and other neighborhood retail have long been converted to host global consumerism.

The juxtaposition of dignified Islamic women.

And the dreaded Golden Arches.

Was too interesting to pass up.