Afghani Souk Centre Point for Exquisite
Rugs & Antiquities by: Syed Shabbir Siraj
Amidst buildings that are themselves of an antique nature, the district of Al-Hendaweyyah is akin to a vein, just one of many, that gives this old part of Jeddah city its charm and its visitors a blissful shopping experience.
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Carpets and rugs, the majority of which have been hand-woven, are to be found in this area and specifically on Al-Ghetreefi Street, where lines upon lines of shops are stocked with magnificently woven carpets that are no less than pieces of art. Cheap goods these are not, but they are definitely marked down from the prices that one is greeted with in high-end shopping districts of the city and in classy stores that carry the same quality. It is very easy to find a selection of Turkish, Iranian, Afghani and Pakistani carpets and rugs that come in colors that are pure and sharp and are adorned with intricate geometric patterns and rich motifs. Without a doubt, many of the carpets which hung on the walls of each and every store had never seen the inside of a factory; the mind-boggling designs and soft feel vouching for the painstaking hours that were spent by the weavers in creating them.
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The Afghani shopkeepers and salesmen in this area are a friendly lot that take the time to assist you in making the right purchase. Most of the shops also have antiquities and other items that make great souvenirs and the shopkeepers help you in your desire to seek out a unique treasure which could be in the form of old Arabian tea pots, ornaments or elaborate rugs that look like they belonged to a palace some centuries ago. Foregoing materialistic and monetary gain for a more humane approach in order to win over a customer is what makes these kind-hearted salespeople a pleasure to do business with. And don’t forget that bargaining is part of the deal here and should be done with zest and without hesitation; if only to let you think that you got away with a steal! Apart from the shopping extravaganza that can be indulged in here, the soul of the visit is the glimpse you get of the daily life–kids playing in the adjacent narrow alleys; workers unloading new wares off a truck; a potato seller winding his way through the street. The contrasting sights and sounds of the day and then the night are a draw as well, but this is very likely the place to make a trip to for all sorts of lovely carpets–except the flying kind.
نقطة مركز البسط الرائعة-- السوق األفغانى
هذا اجلزء، يقه حي الهنداوية يف و�سط مباين الطبيعة العتيقة ت�شتهر.القدمي من مدينة جدة له �سحر خالب يف الت�سوق وحتديدا يف �شارع، املنطقة بحرفة ن�سج ال�سجاد اليدوي حيث تزيد اخلطوط من روعة ال�سجاد مما يجعله،غطريفي .قطعة فنية
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