Great bazaars and what you need to know about them

The word bazaar conjures up images of rows and rows of stands filled with the most exotic and hard to find merchandises you can imagine, of lush silks, beautiful woven carpets, little wonders made of ceramic, the glint of precious metals and the alluring aroma of spices. The concept of bazaar was introduced by the ancient Persians, and since then it has spread to many regions in the world.

As opposed to the American bazaars (charity rummage sales), the genuine bazaar is an open marketplace where you can find anything and everything. If you happen to visit North Africa, India, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey or Syria, for example, a trip to the bazaar might ensure that you go home not only with some great memories, but some rare keepsakes as well. …