The Diva and the Angels

Lunch

Everyone was happy to be gathered, they began to go to the garden it was so beautiful, Ahmed went down and he began to be introduced to everyone.

He was smiling and then they sat to eat, and they were talking and laughing, and the kids were playing and eating.

Then Uncle Patrick told Aroura who cooked as those are not Italian food.

Ahmed smiled and Aroura said that is Ahmed cooking as thanking the girls for helping.

They all were so amazed by the boy and his cooking and Patrick said that he is so talented in a lot of thing not only cooking.

Ahmed remember after the lunch that he can give the girls gifts, so he asked aunti if she can give the girls gifts and she agreed.

They both went to pick the bags to show the girls to pick up their gifts.

He got out :

So the first thing he got was Incense:

Bring the Middle Eastern fragrance to your home, just by burning some Oud mixed powder. Your house and your heart will be filled with a warm oriental feeling, like the one embracing Cairo's narrow streets and markets.

There are two types of incenses available. First is the very famous Oud or “Agar-wood”, which comes from the heart of the infected Aquilaria tree. Only trees infected “with some sort of mold” would produce the dark aromatic resin, that is processed into Oud. The raw materials are imported from countries of the Far East like India or Indonesia. Agar Wood is Egyptians' favorite fragrance, even though it is as pricey as it is pleasant. A cheaper alternative would be a mixed powder, containing other incenses like “Ein Al Afreet” and “Mastic”. The other type is Bokhor “Incense sticks”, available everywhere, from perfumery stores to supermarkets. It is of course a lot cheaper as it is made of regular wood mix soaked in fragrances or oils. These incenses are available in many shapes and varieties to fit different beautifully crafted censers.

Second Gifts were Bastet, Antique Stones, and Statues Replicas

As ancient Egyptians worshiped and honored many gods and goddess, they built huge temples and great statues. One of the most interesting and emblematic ones is Bastet - the feline goddess, protector of Lower Egypt. Ancient Egyptians have always domesticated cats, keeping them in their homes as their farms' protectors from rats and birds. They even mummified these beloved cats, which were buried together with their owners. Until now, in the City of Bastet “Tal El Basta” were found and still exist near 300,000 mummified cats. With a head of a cat and the body of a woman, Bastet is believed to protect homes from evil and vermin. The goddess is usually depicted in one or two typical shapes or positions, but in many different materials, ranging from cheap plastic to expensive granite with rare colors. Look for the solid heavy stones, they will last forever.

Third were Jewelry Wooden Boxes

since the ancient times, Egyptian artisans were famous for their wood crafts, ranging from house furniture to large ships. One the most well-known objects, made until now in the same unbeatable quality is “Mother of Pearl” decorated Jewelry boxes.” Treasure Chests“as Egyptians understand them are their larger version, which cannot be easily carried by one.

Forth Handcrafted Metal Works

All metal handicrafts ranging from jewelry, utensils, to decorative plates or even Hookah bodies and lanterns are centered in Khan El Khalily and El Mosky, which abounds mostly in silver items. There you will be able to see skilled workers knocking on sheets of metal to shape the final products, or even have your portrait drawn on a decorative plate. These gifts will last forever, regardless of the money paid for them or material used:

- Copper

- Brass

- Silver 

- Gold coated Silver.

Fifth Eastern Desserts

pastries are to be found everywhere in Egypt, in a large palette of colors and smells. They are indeed so many, that one could easily lost. Our recommendation is made mostly out of concerns of packaging and accessibility, suggesting the following:

- Baklava: famous velo dough stuffed with walnuts/pistachios and sweetened by sugar syrup or honey

- Stuffed Dates: stuffed with almonds and dried

- Saraya Pie: special toasted bread pie sweetened by Caramel “burnt sugar” and served with cream.

- Basbosa: made of Smeed (semolina) “corn flour” with sugar and oil, almonds or walnuts can be added, stuffed with cream or blank.

- Semsemia: crunchy sesame seeds with sugar syrup and rose water.  

Sixth were Pottery and Ceramics

Since the ancient pre-dynastic period, Egyptian artisans have been creating high-quality pottery mainly for functional reasons like perfume bottles, wine vases, cups and dishes. It is them who discovered the art of covering clay with enamel by using soapstone to resist high temperatures without cracking, keeping their designs' vivid colors lasting for thousands of years.  

Seventh were Hand Blown Glass Works and Ornaments

As many different traditions and crafts were preserved by Egyptians since the ancient times, the glass-blowing craft makes no exception. An art with a very individual, authentic and exotic spirit - the process of making glass ornaments and perfume bottles would be nothing without the magic brought by the vivid colors and reflections. Glass making was known in Egypt back in 2000 B.C., as the country has always been rich in the purest silica raw materials. Hand-blown glass craft flourished with the Arabian conquest, glass being used in mirrors, dishes, bottles, lamps, and windows, all in brilliant colors obtained by using metal oxides.

Eighth were Kohl

Ancient Egyptians created a magnificent cosmetic powder by grinding the Galena rock “lead sulfide” to highlight their eyes. The beauty ritual was believed to protect eyes from harsh light rays and curses by evil-eyes, as well as spring eye-allergies.

Ninth were Kilim Carpets

Kilim art is one of the earliest wool spinning crafts in Egypt, obtained by shaping rugs and table covers using wool, cotton, and silk to create fabulous décor pieces. The Kilim carpets are made entirely of natural, environment-friendly materials and organic chemical-free colors, hand-made using a wooden loom. The carpets are created by mixing different threads, weaved together to create a sturdy, fine embroidery. This handicraft is still popular in Egypt, despite the flourishing of industrial carpet-making technology. Kilim pieces are valued for the fine details of their drawings, the carefully selected fabrics (Silk, Cotton, Wool) and for the number and size of stitches, not by the surface area.  nd honored many gods and goddess, they built huge temples and great statues. One of the most interesting and emblematic ones is Bastet - the feline goddess, protector of Lower Egypt. Ancient Egyptians have always domesticated cats, keeping them in their homes as their farms' protectors from rats and birds. They even mummified these beloved cats, which were buried together with their owners. Until now, in the City of Bastet “Tal El Basta” were found and still exist near 300,000 mummified cats. With a head of a cat and the body of a woman, Bastet is believed to protect homes from evil and vermin. The goddess is usually depicted in one or two typical shapes or positions, but in many different materials, ranging from cheap plastic to expensive granite with rare colors. Look for the solid heavy stones, they will last forever.

Third were Jewelry Wooden Boxes

since the ancient times, Egyptian artisans were famous for their wood crafts, ranging from house furniture to large ships. One the most well-known objects, made until now in the same unbeatable quality is “Mother of Pearl” decorated Jewelry boxes. ”Treasure Chests“ as Egyptians understand them are their larger version, which cannot be easily carried by one.

Forth Handcrafted Metal Works

All metal handicrafts ranging from jewelry, utensils, to decorative plates or even Hookah bodies and lanterns are centered in Khan El Khalily and El Mosky, which abounds mostly in silver items. There you will be able to see skilled workers knocking on sheets of metal to shape the final products, or even have your portrait drawn on a decorative plate. These gifts will last forever, regardless of the money paid for them or material used:

- Copper

- Brass

- Silver [4 qualities (600, 800, 900, 925)]

- Gold coated Silver.

Fiftth Eastern Desserts

pastries are to be found everywhere in Egypt, in a large palette of colors and smells. They are indeed so many, that one could easily lost. Our recommendation is made mostly out of concerns of packaging and accessibility, suggesting the following:

- Baklava: famous velo dough stuffed with walnuts/pistachios and sweetened by sugar syrup or honey

- Stuffed Dates: stuffed with almonds and dried

- Saraya Pie: special toasted bread pie sweetened by Caramel “burnt sugar” and served with cream.

- Basbosa: made of Smeed (semolina) “corn flour” with sugar and oil, almonds or walnuts can be added, stuffed with cream or blank.

- Semsemia: crunchy sesame seeds with sugar syrup and rose water.  

Sixth were Pottery and Ceramics

Since the ancient pre-dynastic period, Egyptian artisans have been creating high-quality pottery mainly for functional reasons like perfume bottles, wine vases, cups and dishes. It is them who discovered the art of covering clay with enamel by using soapstone to resist high temperatures without cracking, keeping their designs' vivid colors lasting for thousands of years.  

Seventh were Hand Blown Glass Works and Ornaments

As many different traditions and crafts were preserved by Egyptians since the ancient times, the glass-blowing craft makes no exception. An art with a very individual, authentic and exotic spirit - the process of making glass ornaments and perfume bottles would be nothing without the magic brought by the vivid colors and reflections. Glass making was known in Egypt back in 2000 B.C., as the country has always been rich in the purest silica raw materials. Hand-blown glass craft flourished with the Arabian conquest, glass being used in mirrors, dishes, bottles, lamps, and windows, all in brilliant colors obtained by using metal oxides.

Eighth were Kohl

Ancient Egyptians created a magnificent cosmetic powder by grinding the Galena rock “lead sulfide” to highlight their eyes. The beauty ritual was believed to protect eyes from harsh light rays and curses by evil-eyes, as well as spring eye-allergies.

Ninth were Kilim Carpets

Kilim art is one of the earliest wool spinning crafts in Egypt, obtained by shaping rugs and table covers using wool, cotton, and silk to create fabulous décor pieces. The Kilim carpets are made entirely of natural, environment-friendly materials and organic chemical-free colors, hand-made using a wooden loom. The carpets are created by mixing different threads, weaved together to create a sturdy, fine embroidery. This handicraft is still popular in Egypt, despite the flourishing of industrial carpet-making technology. Kilim pieces are valued for the fine details of their drawings, the carefully-selected fabrics (Silk, Cotton, Wool) and for the number and size of stitches, not by the surface area.  

Tenth were some of:

Ancient Style Jewelry and Amulets - Pieces of Gold and Sterling Silver jewelry and amulets, made in contemporary Egypt, replicating the works of ancient Egyptian masters once worn by Egyptian pharaohs, not only in terms of looks, but also in terms of ancient technique used to make these by hand. A unique opportunity to reach out and feel the millenia-old tradition.  

Alabaster Stone Items - Soft white alabaster stone, sourced at Luxor in the south of Egypt, is a popular material these days for making cool items: candle holders, dishes, vases, etc. Each piece is made by hand – from stone extraction at the quarry till the finishing polish of the end product – and thus has its own character.

Mini pyramids

Since they are a defining symbol of the country, mini pyramids are one of the most popular souvenirs to buy in Egypt. And it’s no wonder as the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the most visited attractions on the globe and is the only surviving ancient wonder in the world. Since the two smaller pyramids, the pyramid of Khafre and the pyramid of Menkaure, are ancient attractions as well, visitors usually buy the miniature complex as a souvenir. Along with the pyramids, other miniature statues of ancient Egypt.

Papyrus scroll

Another item of ancient Egyptian origin and a heavily bought souvenir in Egypt is the papyrus scroll. Papyrus was the paper used during ancient Egyptian times and was made from the pith of the papyrus plant. Of course, the papyrus scrolls sold nowadays are replicas of the original; however, they’re pretty cool and look real as well. Papyrus scrolls differ in size and have different shapes printed on them as well, from pharaonic battle scenes to the Hieroglyphic alphabet.

Scarab

Ancient Egyptians used to have amulets in the shape of dung beetles, known as scarab beetles. At that time, scarabs represented a religious significance in the ancient Egyptian religion. Today, scarabs are another souvenir that people love. You can find them in all sizes, colours and materials and some are also engraved with the Hieroglyphic alphabet. Scarab bracelets and necklaces are also very popular in Egypt and many visitors wear them as a reminder of their trip.

Cartouche

The cartouche is another ancient Egyptian souvenir – it is an oval with a horizontal line on one end, indicating the text enclosed. You can find them engraved on many ancient Egyptian temples. Nowadays, they are sold on different materials, such as alabaster and stones, as souvenirs for tourists. However, as the silver industry is huge in Egypt, visitors usually buy them in the form of silver necklaces. Not only do they buy them due to the unique silver in Egypt, but also because they can write their names on them in the hieroglyphic alphabet – talk about a customised ancient souvenir! To many, this is a great gift for both themselves and loved ones.

Egyptian jalabeya

The jalabeya is a cultural and traditional outfit in Egypt. It is composed of a loose fabric, similar to a dress, for men and women. Although you may not find many wearing them in the capital city of Cairo, you will find people in rural areas and in most areas outside of Cairo still wearing them. The designs and styles of the jalabeya differ in each governorate – some are colourful and others are black with colourful embroideries. Jalabeyas for men are usually basic and come in light or dark colours and since they represent Egyptian culture, you will find many stores selling them – especially bazaars.

Belly dancing outfit

Considered Egyptian in origin, belly dancing is an Arabic expressive dance that comprises certain movements and specific music. Belly dancing has always been a part of black-and-white Egyptian movies and has developed over the years. Belly dancing outfits come in different styles and colours and are all designed with shiny and glittery embroideries. As visitors are mesmerised by belly dancers and their outfits, they usually buy belly dancing outfits as souvenirs; however, they are not worn as an outdoor kind of outfit.

Geometric pattern boxes

Also known as jewellery boxes, these arabesque-style boxes are very popular in Egypt and are sold in many places. They come in different shapes and sizes and are designed with Islamic geometric patterns. Many historical landmarks in Egypt feature these geometric patterns and their existence is evident in the architecture of several outdoor and indoor monuments around Egypt. Although Islamic geometric patterns date back to Egypt’s Islamic era, the existence of geometric patterns in general trace back to ancient Egyptian times.

Leather slippers

Handmade leather slippers in different vibrant colours line the shelves of many Egyptian bazaar shops. Many visitors fall head over heels for these leather slippers and their colours. Although these slippers are cool and fashionable, they are not the real souvenir. What really makes them a souvenir is the pharaonic symbol (which always appeared on deities in the Egyptian pantheon) that can be found on them. They count as a great gift because not only are they practical, but they represent the ancient side of the country as well.

Glass sand bottles

The use of sand as art can be found in many places around the globe. And just like these places, Egypt is also a hub for glass sand bottles and it is one of the oldest crafts found in the country. The glass is filled with the pure white sand that comes from the deserts of Egypt. Although many street vendors sell these handmade bottles, they are very popular in cities like Dahab, Luxor and Aswan. The artist fills the glass bottle with white sand as well as coloured sand for decoration.