germanblonde

Casual_Cairo, at present I am living between North America and Europe, this may change by fall, 2010. I will let you know closer to my trip where I am and if can assist you in anyway, I'd be happy to.

Casual_Cairo

Germanblonde be careful what you offer. Poor Abby97 got more than I think she bargained for....she may have to bring a second suitcase over. Thank you Abby

germanblonde

Oh boy, I think I'm getting myself into trouble. lol.

Debbie, I do understand what it is like to live somewhere where you have not grown up. I know what it is like to crave things from home. I will certianly help you when my trip to Egypt comes around.

abby97

LOL! It is my pleasure. I was planning on bringing an empty bag for souvenirs, so now I'll just fill it before I leave and empty it when I get there. Please feel free to email me as you think of other things -- we still have six days to go!

dutyfree

Just back from my Egypt and Jordan trip and wanted to let you know about my cartouche experience with Gouzlan. We ordered quite a lot from them dealing with the salesperson "Shaggy". The store is definitely better than most and I was very excited two nights later when the stuff was to be delivered to our hotel (the fabulous and wonderful Hotel Longchamps in Zamalek that Debbie from Casual Cairo recommended-thanks Deb!).
Anyway, upon looking at our goodies we saw that they had spelled my daughter's name AMY as ABY on her gold cartouche and on her cartouche ring it was spelled ELIBETH instead of ELIZABETH. Shaggy made good on redoing both of them but it took another two days(with several hours waiting in our hotel lobby for them to show up) and a trip to the market again to have both of them redone so do check before signing off on your purchases. The pieces are very beautiful and the prices were great compared to the "crap" we saw for sale in the rest of Egypt.No matter where you buy your cartouches-be sure you know the spelling of your name .

Casual_Cairo

Glad the end of the story was happy Duty Free. They can make mistakes, but they do make good on what they mess up. And in the end you love your purchases, I hope.

Tamra_Reynolds

I'm so glad I stumbled onto this thread! I'm scheduled to go to Egypt in May of this year and wanted to get cartouches as gifts. I had no idea the silver ones were so reasonably priced! Thanks Debbie! Anything I can bring you from Wisconsin?

travelsumama

I'm scheduled to go to Egypt in May 2011 also on the Star Princess. I'm sure hoping that all will be for the best in Cairo and we can get in. I have a tour scheduled with Debbie Senters. I hope all is well with you and your company. Thanks for the information and postings here. I hope very much to be able to go to the jewelry shop and market with you.
Travelsumama

PRLCH

Bookmarking

Casual_Cairo

I look forward to working with anyone that will come to Egypt when we all get there! I'm back in town (I pray) on the 20th now.

PRLCH

Casual Cairo - we are stilll hoping to come in January next year (airfares booked), although it is scary to think of booking now. Will keep a lookout for your updates once you get back, and keep you on our list of guides in Cairo. Stay safe!

MissGreen

I didnt get my cartouches from Gouzlan. My guide suggested somewhere else and they are fabulous, look great and I was happy with the price. there are lots of places to get them and if it is a few bucks more than Gouzlan, or possibly less... so be it.

Marianna

Being a little depressed about not going to Egypt in March, I made a lamb tagine for dinner yesterday and we watched the movie Cairo Time. Scenery was beautiful! We promised each other that we are definitely going in the near future and may begin making new plans in a few months.

Anyway, one scene was in a jewelry shop where she was selecting a cartouche and I thought I must get one when we go. So, I am finding this information very helpful

MissGreen, where did you buy your cartouches?

MissGreen

Marianna. Sorry I do not know the name. I just let my guide Hamdy show me through the market and was happy with whatever he chose. We may of paid a bit more, we may of been able to get a cheaper price but we didn't query it. Our guide was not a slick talker and he seemed so honest and caring that we totally trusted what he told us about prices.

If I can find the company name on the little bag the cartouches came in I will post it for you Marianna. We just looked at samples. He told us the price and we came back in an hour. I got a free ank (spelling?) for a charm bracelet too.

Casual_Cairo

Miss Green - I'm really happy you love your cartouches and are happy with the price you paid. Like you said, <<there are lots of places to get them and if it is a few bucks more than Gouzlan, or possibly less... so be it.>>

But for those that are looking for the best bargain on quality goods, Gouzlan is there. Many tourists are very concerned about not getting "taken" and they can be sure that won't happen at Gouzlan if they go in armed with the right information to advise Mahmoud or Shaggy where they heard about them and how they got there.
Unfortunately too many shops will "take" anyone that is willing to let them do it. It's a slow process in Egypt, but I'm trying to teach them that respect and fair prices will get you more business than the alternative.

Anyone running a business with fair business practices including respect and fair prices should be talked about here on the site I think, with as much information about how to find them as you can give.

jahlie

Wow, Azza Fahmy's jewelry is gorgeous. I'll have to take a look when I'm in Cairo because I couldn't find prices on their website. I believe you all who say it's expensive. There must be up-and-coming jewelers who design contemporary jewelry sold at reasonable prices. Does anyone have a suggestion? I don't want a cartouche or other tourist jewelry but would be happy with something beautiful and unusual.

Grcxx3

jahlie - there is a lot of really cool jewelry in Cairo, especially if you like silver. Most of the stuff I wear (that gets commented upon) came from there. Gouzlan's has lots of stuff (silver and gold), and of course a lot of it is "Egypt-y" but there is a lot of other unusual stuff, too.

I agree with Debbie (Casual_Cairo) that Gouzlan is the most reliable and probably at the top in terms of quality, and it is definitely the place I prefer - but I have purchased pieces from other places as well.

Grcxx3

Oops - meant to add this link. Here are some of the more interesting earrings you can find at Gouzlan.

http://www.gouzlan.com/Merchant2/mer...ode=mo_sil_ear

Casual_Cairo

<<Wow, Azza Fahmy's jewelry is gorgeous. I'll have to take a look when I'm in Cairo because I couldn't find prices on their website. I believe you all who say it's expensive.>>

Azza is definately in the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" catagory, I think....but it is special and beautiful.

jahlie

Do you know if Gouzlan will fabricate jewelry from a photo?