Vacation is a very long awaited and joyful event. You need to have time to have a great rest, gain impressions and not forget about pleasant souvenirs for yourself and your friends. It is the variety of souvenirs that Egypt is famous for.
Egypt is a wonderful place for relaxation and shopping. There are many shopping malls that are open late. But it is better to look for the most beautiful and interesting souvenirs in the markets, which are also numerous in this country.
What souvenirs can be bought in Egypt
Papyrus is an original gift, and just a souvenir. In order not to fall for a fake from banana leaves or cane, you should not buy too cheap papyrus in unverified places. It is better to go to a factory or a papyrus museum, and when buying in a market or shopping center, you should ask for a certificate.
Egyptian figurines do not diminish their popularity. They can be found in large quantities in any shop. These are figurines of pharaohs, cats, various gods. You just need to know a few things about which traders are always silent. You should not buy a pharaoh's head with a braided beard, this is a headstone mask. A cat sitting on a vessel is also a gravestone symbol.
The cheapest are alabaster figurines, but they may not even reach Russia. They will just break down along the way. It is easy to figure out a fake under a stone; it is enough to lightly walk on the statuette with your fingernail. When a white stripe appears on it, you can safely refuse to purchase. But figurines made of basalt and granite will delight the eye for a very long time.
And of course, don't forget about sweets from Egypt. Fig jam, halva with sesame seeds, Turkish delight, a mixture of nuts, dried fruits and golden honey is a real treat for those with a sweet tooth. Traders pre-treat visitors to their shops. In the shops, you can not only taste all the goodies, but also drink aromatic and cooling tea.
What not to buy in Egypt
It is not recommended to buy spices without special vacuum packaging, because they will quickly absorb moisture and lose their aroma. And even in the refrigerator, they can get moldy and go bad.
The Egyptian authorities prohibit the export of corals or shells from the country. For breaking the law, you will have to pay an impressive fine. Therefore, it is not even worth spending money on buying such souvenirs.
Before shopping, it is best to go through several stores, compare prices. You can ask tourists who have already purchased something. You should not make rash and spontaneous purchases, in which case the money will quickly run out. Avid tourists recommend refraining from shopping altogether on the first day of stay in Egypt.
