Tour packages to Tanzania for airline employees is available thru InterlineTravel.com. You can contact them at 800 766-2911 or in the DFW Area at 817 481-8631 or online at www.interlinetravel.com.

Shopping Morocco’s Souks

Souks are found in many of Morocco’s cities but the most expansive shopping areas lie in the cities of Marrakech and Fes. Here within the ancient walls of the medina, daily life follows a centuries-old pattern. Goods are haggled for in tiny shops and stalls, often over glass after glass of what might be considered the national drink–hot mint tea as sweet as liquified chewing gum. Craftsmen pound out designs on brass, as the echoes reverberate along narrow passageways where veiled women move through the day’s activities.

Whether you shop the souks of Marrakech, Fes, or one of Morocco’s other cities, you’ll find the narrow, winding streets and alleys of the souk are far more orderly than they first appear. Specialty souks within the souk are devoted to fabrics, spices, meats, brass and ironwork, clothing, and other wares. The meat souk, with its open-air displays of goat heads, sheep feet and live chickens, is best experienced in the morning hours, before the heat of day turns the sometimes stagnant air foul.

The main items you will want to shop for in the souks are:

• Carpets – Buying a carpet in Morocco is an experience like few others. Expect to drink three or four glasses of sweet mint tea and spend at least half a day in during negotiations for one of Morocco’s top products. You will find that no 2 rug stores are alike. Every owner has his own layout and design. Fifteen types of Moroccan rugs and carpets are found in shops throughout the area from the High Atlas rugs, made with 100% wool and dyed with vegetable colors to the woven and embroidered Kilim rugs. Prices vary with the degree of work, from US$12,000 for a High Atlas carpet to US$5500 for a reversible carpet to as little as US$150 for a kilim rug. Prices are generally as much as 50% off of those found in the US. Arrangements can be made with merchants for shipping and delivery to be included in the negotiated price.
• Leathergoods – fine leatherwork is sold in souks throughout Morocco, the best selection is found in Fes. This city is home to an expansive tannery, one of Africa’s most photographed sites. Although we were warned of its odoriferous qualities (leather is treated in vats that contain everything from pigeon droppings to lime), our guide provided us with a sprig of mint to smell during our view of the multi-colored vats that produce some of the area’s finest leather goods. Purses (US$10 and up), sequin-dotted leather camel toys (US$3-5), and babouches or soft slippers (US$3-$25) were some of the most popular items in the tannery store. Outside, street vendors sell colorful billfolds embossed with Moroccan designs for as little as US$2.50
• Traditional Dress – Another ppopular shopping experience in the souk is the dress shop. Caftans, traditional women’s dress, and the djellaba, a long man’s garment with a deep, pointed hood, are available in a variety of styles and materials ranging from cotton to polyester to silk. Prices start at about $25 and go as high as $600 for a special occasion garment. Look for other traditional wear as well. The burnoose, an elgant hooded cape, can sell for $450. Djellabas come in three styles: Arab (large, flowing garments), Berber (with straighter lines) and Pasha (a two-piece garment worn for special events). If you are in need an inexpensive gift? Veils that double as scarves average $12-20.
• Local Herbs & Spices – Don’t miss the chance to visit a Moroccan pharmacy. Like a witch doctor’s den, these mysterious shops tucked in the souk’s alleys, offer local residents cures for everything from toothaches to arthritis to broken hearts. Powders and potions, concocted of local herbs, not to mention dried lizards seen hanging on the walls, provide a cure for whatever ails you. You will be especially interested in the spices and perfumes. Saffron can be purchased for about $2 per gram (minimum of five grams and much less than it will cost you in the USA). Cooks will also want to check out the Moroccan curry, a different blend than Indian curry, and a heady mix of Moroccan spices called “Head of the Store” are popular choices.

Tips for getting the most out of your souk shopping.

• Get a supply of Moroccan coins for tipping. Tips are expected for photos; the going rate is 1 to 5 Dirhams (10 to 50 cents US).
• Exchange only as much money as you expect to spend. Always exchange money in banks or at the larger hotels, never on the street. The official currency is the dirham (dh). At press time, the exchange rate was about US$1 = 10 Dh.
• Credit cards are accepted (and highly recommended)for larger purchases but carry cash for most souk buys.
• Negotiation is the name of the game. When presented with a price, counter with a price of about 1/3 the amount. Keep the process friendly yet firm. If you counter with a final offer and are allowed to walk away from the shop, you’ve obviously underestimated the value.
• A guide is an invaluable asset in the winding, twisting alleys of both Fes and Marrakech. Licensed guides can be recommended by the hotels.
• Don’t plan to shop much on Fridays, the Muslim holy day. Most stalls close at noon or 12:30.
• Watch out for pickpockets. Watch your belongings as the pickpockets work the souks and look for tourists just like you!
• Be prepared to be jostled. The souks are crowded, especially in Fes.

Notes for travel ro Morocco:

• A valid passport is required of all visitors.
• When to Go: Fall and spring are excellent times to visit. Winters can be cold and shoppers will find limited activity during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Health Notice: No immunizations are required for a visit to Morocco. But check with your local health department for the latest requirements and suggested shots which might apply for your trip. You probably only want todrink only bottled water and avoid ice along with food that has been rinsed in water such as salads and most fruits, unless you can peel the fruit.
• Language: English is spoken bymostmerchants but the official language of Morocco is Arabic. Most Moroccans also speak French and Spanish is spoken in the northern cities as well.

If you are interested in a tour to Morocco contact InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911 or in the DFW Area call 817 481-8631 or go online to www.interlinetravel.com.

A Unique Event in Abu Simbel, Egypt

The festival of Abu Simbel, in February, is a fabulous period for those who can visit Abu Simbel and luckily admire in the meantime the incredible sunrise over the temple.

Abu Simbel is a splendid temple built on a strict east ?west axis so that the morning sun actually goes through the heart of the temple for 60 meters to reach the innermost sanctuary at dawn, illuminating the statues of Amon, Ramses II and Ra-Horakhty twice a year on Oct. 22nd and Feb. 22nd.

This phenomenon is known as the ?erpendicular of the Sun on Abu Simbel? It lasts for about 20 minutes . Outside the site, the magic will last for a fair and music demonstration. It is a unique phenomenon of the Temple that shows the architectural creativity of the ancient Egyptian architects, who wished to show and ensure the relationship between the temple and the Sun.

Abu Simbel lies near the Egyptian border with Sudan. The closest major town is Aswan. You can get to Abu Simbel by plane from either Cairo or Aswan. There are also daily buses and tours from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Perhaps the best way to visit Abu Simbel is by boat. There are plenty of cruises starting in Aswan that range from 3 – 5 days. Abu Simbel it is a 3.5 hour bus ride from Cairo. There is also a small airport at Abu Simbel. Flights from Cairo to Abu Sumbel will run you about 160 Euro’s.

The great temple of Abu Simbel The Temple of Ramses II was dedicated to the four universal gods Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and to Ramesses II himself. The great Abu Simbel temple is also called The Sun Temple of Ramesses II. Abu Simbel Temples are considered to be the most impressive temples from his own seven Temples Ramses II built. The two temples of Abu Simbel with their unique style are considered as masterpieces of ancient Egypt. The Egyptian government and UNISCO decided to co-operate in order to save the temples of Abu Simbel and in turn, saving the relics of one of the oldest human civilization. The facade of the main temple is 108 feet high and 125 feet wide with four colossal seated statues about 65 feet high wearing the double crown of Upper and lower Egypt and having the cartouches of Ramesses II.

The smaller temple of Abu simbel The Temple of Queen Nefertari is also Called Temple of Hathor who was the wife of the Sun God so in a symbolic way, the two Temples, that of Ramesses II and that of Nefertari, bring Ramesses II, Nefertari, Hathor and the Sun God together as one. Ramesses II built small Abu Simbel temple for his wife Nefertari, which is much simpler than the temple of Ramsses II as it has only one hypostyle hall and the sanctuary.