What type of business does there seem to be plenty of in Egypt? For example, do you see a myriad of jewelry and clothing stores or something?

I suppose this would depend on area you visit, it will be different in touristic areas for example then residential areas.

I would be interested to know more about the residential areas, because those are the ones we don't get to visit often.

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CrescentHomes real estate, TurkishLiving & EgyptianLiving forums.

I especially loved the rug stores. Since Egypt is smack dab in the middle of one of the world's premier areas for rugs, there are so many to choose from.
I went to a few shops that weren't frequented by tourists, and the selections were spectacularr!

Is it fairly easy to send something like this back to the states without a problem? That's what usually stops me from buying something wonderful when traveling. I don't want to drag larger things with me, but having items mailed isn't the easiest task. I'd think a rug (a large one like I'd be interested in) may pose a problem?

Shipping is so international now that it isn't a problem. While UPS or Fedex may be rather expensive, if you've gotten a really great deal on an item, even adding the shipping to it still makes it s agood deal sometimes. I've had crystal shipping back from Prague with no problems either.

I've seen people try to check large items like that with the rest of their airplane luggage...I bet that was a hefty fee!

Oh yeah, it would be expensive. I once got nailed $150 just for a set of golf clubs on a transAtlantic flight! If you aren't in a huge hurry, sending things like a rug or something large isn't too bad if you send it the slow way via boat. Can take weeks but it saves money too.

I personally wouldn't trust the airlines to get it home with out being damaged or lost. But you are right it can be very exspensive to get it home with you on a plane. That and I find it a pain to check something big when traveling.

I only brought it up because I once saw someone checking a very large plasma television at an airport to bring back to their home country. Odd! Not the thing I'd get when travelling...I'm more apt to get sculptures and art which at least have a chance of being stowed in my luggage.

Ah, good point... I hadn't thought of that. That would be a great way to buy all those fabulous souvenirs and not worry about how to get them back home like I usually end up doing.