Habous (shopping!!!!)

Liz is a shopping expert and enjoyed going to the habous (a more tourist oriented market) with me twice and to the local souk (a local daily commodities market) a few times too. I had never been to any of these places before my company arrived - so it was a great adventure for me too!
















Liz bought a mirror for me, but there were a few pieces of camel bone missing from the frame so the proprietor offered to fix it on the spot... but you know me, art teacher, would not agree to just any old chunk of camel bone being stuck in the empty spots.... So the gentleman and I spent at least fifteen minutes having friendly artisan arguments about which peices could go where, until the customer (me) was happy. If I didn't have to fight so hard for the "right" pieces of camel bone, I don't think I would appreciate my mirror half as much.


One of the guys who was helping at this shop was thrilled to have Liz take his picture... and offered to take Liz's picture too. This turned out to be one of our favorite shops: respectful salesmen (no one tried to touch us (this is considered bad form, but lot's of the men try it with foreigners who don't know any better... a hand on an arm, a pat on the back, a kiss on the cheek) and even though they didn't speak English, it was clear that they were friendly and not going to shaft us just because they could.
















Most of the habous is fairly touristy, but as you reach the edges it turns into a more practical market. Shoes, stuff for the kitchen, and because it was the end of December... Lots and lots of plastic buckets and tubs of course (see previous post on the Eid)