Middle Eastern markets are amazing. Imagine yourself walking through ancient city streets lined with shops and open-air markets selling anything you can imagine, and the scent of jasmine and spices wafting through the air. You’re sipping metteh (an herbal tea) or maybe snacking on roasted nuts. You pass a couple of elderly gentlemen who are laughing while playing a game of cards and smoking a hookah, which smells beautifully of apple and licorice. You stop, look around, and inhale deeply, taking in as much as you can and trying to freeze this moment before it slips by. (Have I mentioned I love Middle Eastern markets? :) )
I took most of these photos in Old Damascus, walking from Bab Sharqi (the eastern gate) towards Souk al Hamidiyah, and a few of the pictures were taken inside the Souk. If you’re ever in Damascus and are in the mood to treasure hunt, I highly recommend walking this strip. It’s a bit pricier than other places, but haggling is generally an accepted practice; not to mention that you get what you pay for, and this stuff is the real deal. Plus you never know what you’ll find…some of it is gorgeous, most of it is old (or really old!), and all of it is unique. As Mike can attest to, I could literally spend days here…
I’m in love with the striped, burgundy-colored shawl on the top, second from the left!
One night Mike went on a sweet shop sightseeing tour through Old Damascus and one of the surrounding neighborhoods called Midan (which is world-renowned for its sweets!). He was kind enough to take pictures of some of the really gorgeous shops. Thank you for the pictures, baby!
Just look at that breathtaking ceiling (above)…
Lentil Breakdown says
A most delicious treat! Fantastic! Wow! Thanks for sharing!
Karen says
Thanks for taking us on a trip to Old Damascus, Faith. I spotted a whole bunch of stuff I would have hauled home. ;-) Those sweet shops are extraordinary!! They remind me of Istanbul. Great post!
Sweet Artichoke says
Woaw! These are gorgeous pics and I totally share your enthusiam for Middle-Eastern "souq"! (well, actually my enthusiasm is for Middle-East itself ;-))
Thanks for your kind comment on my blog. I am very happy to discover yours and will surely come back often!
Ma'a al-salaama :-)
Magic of Spice says
What fun that must have been...and I love those scarves, beautiful! Great photos :)
Reeni says
What a treasure trove! I could spend days there and I'd want to send boxes full of stuff home! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Bizzy says
Faith, what did you bring home for me? Each item is more beautiful than the one before. I hope you were able to bring home some of these for yourself.
These photos are stupendous.
Blond Duck says
And I would never laugh at anything you'd written!
suparna says
Hi Faith,
Thanks for dropping by :P, You have a lovely blog and some awesome pictures...
Middle East is def. a shoppers Heaven!Glad you had a great holiday.
Hope to see you around :P
Ciya
Now Serving says
how does one follow your site?
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Priya,
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Now Serving says
first time on your blog and I am filled with envy - love the pics! looks like you had loads of fun! Cannot wait to explore that part of the world - have a 2 yr old who needs to grow up before our next big travel - I think i will enjoy visiting your blog - please do take the time to visit mine and always appreciate one more follower :) see you soon, cheers, priya
Ameena says
What beautiful treasures...I am especially in love with that gorgeous blue door!
Priyanka is right...these photos remind me a lot of Indian markets!
pachecopatty says
I love seeing all these photos, I'm living vicariously through you because I'm not sure that I will ever see this part of the world. It is certainly fascinating;-) Didn't you want to bring everything home???
Priyanka says
I love this, reminds me of the open air markets in India. All those colorful shawls etc. are so beautiful.
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
ahhhhhhh gorgeous! I'm drawn to shiny and colorful things =) haha
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
Ever so fascinated and amazed by your photos! And those towers of sweets - WOW!
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
I'll have one of everything! Awesome pics Faith.
Jessica says
That shop is unbelievable!!!!! So beautiful. I love the markets - every artifact seems like it has such a rich history behind it. So much to appreciate and not enough time =)
Barbara Bakes says
Looks like you brought home some gorgeous treasures. I love travel. I'm sure shopping these amazing markets would be so fun.
Blond Duck says
I would feel like Jasmine in Aladdin!
Mary says
What a bonanza for shoppers. I can see why you loved the markets :-). I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
Biren @ Roti n Rice says
Those rugs, wall coverings are gorgeous! I can also spend hours just browsing throught the stores. :)
kalli says
love all these finds for sure......
5 Star foodie says
Gorgeous stuff to get there for sure! I also could spend hours browsing through these shops, so neat!
coco says
such an exotic place!!! I love seeing all these pics because it likes taking me with you! :D
Michele | Cooking At Home says
Faith, What a wonderful trip you must have had. The sights, the smells, the colors--fantastic.
Anna Johnston says
OMG Faith...., no wonder you love middle eastern markets. The colours are stunning, the products are fabulous. Love hearing (seeing) it all through your eyes (lenses)
kankana says
Such a beautiful post! and those pictures are so amazing.. wish I could grab few of those glasses or mugs!
LeQuan says
All I could think about while viewing all these gorgeous pictures was, "wow. Look at all those beautiful colours and patterns. The shawl you were eyeing was gorgeous, Faith.Thank you to the both of you for sharing all these photos. Mike is a sweetie for taking pics for you.
Veronica says
Absolutely extraordinary! And Mike's pictures are great too (that was so nice of him! We are so blessed to have husbands willing to help us with photos), but I can't believe you didn't join him on that tour! There's not much that could keep me away from a sweets tour--LOL!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
What a wonderful tour Faith. I felt like I was there with you especially after reading your first paragraph! "D
Monet says
What lovely pictures. It took me back to my trip to the Middle East in 2009. I'm sorry I have been so absent these past few weeks. It has been so good to return to you and your lovely blog! Thank you for sharing with me tonight. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Lisa says
Beautiful pictures! Thanks so much for sharing them :)
kim says
I love markets. Much better than high-end shopping streets. I would love to travel to the Middle East someday. I had a wonderful time when I was in Turkey last year. So much culture and history in this part of the world. Your photos are amazing!
BeadedTail says
Thanks for sharing your photos! I see several things I'd love to have! The candy shop was very incredible too!
Juliana says
Faith, the pictures are awesome, so much to see...love them all and thank you so much for sharing the them...did you bring a lot of things home? Have a wonderful week ahead :-)
Tanvi says
Ahaa! I wish I could grab everything and use it for taking pictures.In that case I ll have to buy a new house too :)So colorful & unique looking things.
Swathi says
Painting and sweet love it. nice clicks.
Stevie says
My Goodness! I can see your fascination completely. I am especially drawn to the images of the carpets and various ceramics. I would be there for hours, too! The treats at the end would be a great way to revive yourself for more shopping. Did you purchase the scarf that you mention?
Mimi says
I love how colorful everything is.
Mimi
Heavenly Housewife says
OMG, that sweet shop is killing me!
You must have bought home tons of beautiful treasures in your suitcases.
*kisses* HH
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
What a wonderful experience and beautiful, vibrant photos! You must have had a time to remember in the Middle East, and learned so much. Thanks for sharing a bit of your vacation, Faith! :)
Erica says
Wow! The paintings and sweets look so amazing. What an experience
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
Wow so much amazing stuff! I especially love the blue pottery and fabrics.
marla {family fresh cooking} says
Beautiful post Faith. What I would do to own all those linens and treasures as props!! Could you imagine. Makes me want to travel far away....like now!
Anh says
So exotic! Wish I were there.
Krista says
I love the fabrics the most. I'm a sucker for stuff like that. Jason went to Japan a few years back and got me a beautiful piece of fabric which I promptly had framed!
Rosa says
Gorgeous objects and dangerously scrumptious treats!
Cheers,
Rosa
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
The ceiling on that sweet shop is stunning! What a fantastic shopping trip, the Souk looks fabulous, I love the pottery! I could see visiting there for days, definitely days!
Barbara says
How lovely, Faith! The fabrics are divine and I hope you didn't resist! I would have come home with a suitcase full of scarves. :)
And what patience to pile those little pastries! I was amazed.
Lovely photos and I'm so glad you got to see it, which means we can visit it with you via your memories and photos.