Jerusalem, Israel - Oh, the souks of Jerusalem had left me spellbound! A warren of well-trodden streets mangle into the Old City's Christian and Muslim Quarters, where adroit merchants at the Arab market huckster their colourful wares to anyone who shows an iota of interest. Needless to say, I got sucked in!
Bargaining proved to be more taxing than anticipated, although a pleasant experience nonetheless. My advice when haggling is: be friendly, not offensive; set a goal on how much you want to pay for an item and stand steadfast on it. If in doubt about a fair price, I usually start my bid at 50% off the stated figure. Most importantly, be prepared to walk away at all cost!
So, it was here in the Arab market that I fell in love with a Persian. A silk Persian rug.
To appreciate it, you have to move around the tapestry. On one side, bold colours pop out...
On the other, more subdued pastels...A truly dynamic piece!
The merchant claimed it to be 800 kpsi (knots per square inch), but I highly doubt it. I would have to get in and count the knots myself, then.
I don't remember which shop I bought it from (shame on me; and I call myself a travel blogger?). However, I am positive that it was inside Suq Aftimos in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem.
I'll always remember Jerusalem for introducing me to my Persian!
22 comments:
gorgeous travel souvenir! one that constantly reminds you of the day you bought it! :)
Beautiful photos...and love your blog! Thanks for stopping by Kosmopolight. Hope you'll drop by again soon. I'll be visiting you here on a regular basis ;)
- Kelley
Gorgeous!!! I love your first Persian! Is there anything better than the Old City??? So enchanting...
cool, your rug is the real deal!:)
Beautiful rug! That's a great souvenir to remind you of your visit. I want to hear about how to bring it back. :)
Wow, it's the Mona Lisa of rugs! How wonderful :)
There's no better way to experience a culture than deep in the chaos of its markets - this piece is beautiful!
It's beautiful! I'll have to swing by there when I'm in Jerusalem in November =)
I love that! I'm with Amy - I want to know how you lugged it home.
That is a killer rug! I love haggling in markets, the experience makes your souvenir that much more memorable.
F Faery,
Yes, it'll be a most memorable purchase.
Kosmopolight,
Thanks! I enjoy visiting you blog, too!
The Beauty File,
Doesn't get better than wandering the streets of the Old City, and you know what I'm talking about.
Maureen,
Thanks, Maureen. I'd be heartbroken if it wasn't :(
Amy & Akila,
It wasn't very big so I folded it up like some sort of origami and stashed it in my suitcase!
Christie,
Thanks. It is my very own Mona Lisa.
lovelyvelo,
I totally agree! That's why I'm so in love with this rug!
Kristin,
Don't forget to bring extra bags to bring home the spoils in November!
Fly Girl,
Yes, and I hope I didn't get ripped off! But even if I did, who cares? I love haggling and I love it that merchants make me think that I've won something special!
Thanks, all, for visiting!
Hey Jen! The nice part about a good quality hand-knotted Persian rug is that they last forever and generally mature very handsomely! Do you display it as a tapestry or area rug?
gorgeous persian. i'm horrible at haggling, thanks for the tips!
Was it love at first sight? There's so many rugs out there but the Persian ones are indeed the best. I wonder if they sent it by courier to you?
Lovely pictures of Persian carpets! Persian carpets feel so plush under your toes!
Cheryl
I looked at this post 3 times...couldn't get my eyes off the pictures you posted of the rugs and Jerusalem....well done Jen !
Thanks so much for sharing
i would love to venture so far. one day... lovely photos.
Great photo of the rug, it's so unique and cool!
love all the colors and patterns!
i love your blog. visit mine please at www.instantlyruby.blogspot.com. Maybe if you like you can post about it or link it, i would love that!!!!
Carpets like this are real piece of art... to be enjoyed and appreciated... and you bought a beautiful one as well!!
Absolutely gorgeous! I am so mad at myself for not buying a rug when I was in Istanbul, but I didn't do well with their high-pressure sales tactics. (I'm the kind of person who deliberates for 20 minutes abt whether to buy a $20 shirt at Banana Republic.) But now I am so in love with those kinds of rugs that I am going to buy one here at home...
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