North Africa
Captivating desert, bazars, bargaining and the historical sites
North Africa forms the northern margin of the African Plate and comprises the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia. The majority of North Africa consists of desert terrain, resulting in arid conditions with minimal rainfall. The predominant ethnic groups are Arabs, Berbers and Moors, who practice mostly Islam, indicating that most of the people are Muslims.
Egypt stands out as a prominent destination for sightseeing, offering a numerous fascinating and historic site to explore. Each country presents its own unique mix of languages and cultures, shaped by distinct historical and political trajectories.
If there are two things in common in the region, beside the majority Muslim population are: bazaars and arid landscape.
Bargaining with a friendly smile and a cup of tea
There are lots of bazaars in North Africa, offering diverse selection of goods, from souvenirs to fresh foods, beverages and spices to clothes and various necessities for everyday life. I had to use and test my bargaining skills with the local vendors, being friendly but firm at the same time to get the best prices. A cup of tea and long conversation is part of the ritual, if the business is slow or if the goods are of higher value. On occasion, despite my lack of intention to make a purchase and my communication of this to the vendors, they remained eager to extend an invitation for tea.
In North Africa, I became fascinated by the desert and learned about its different shapes, structures, colors and characteristics.
I observed a transformation from the yellow sands of perfectly shaped dunes to an assortment of colorful rocks, complemented by black sand and various shapes of white pillars. The extraordinary diversity, combined with silence and tranquility, profoundly captivated me.
