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Categories
Egypt

The Magic of Khan El Khalili – “Brothers”

Date
January 18, 2018
Author
Rich Manley

I took my first trip to Africa and I immediately fell in love with the country, but more
importantly, the people. The more I traveled, the more all my research on various
cultures took a backseat and my heart took over. I could read novels, textbooks, and
blogs on a particular area of travel, however, what I discovered is the people were often overlooked, if not completely disregarded.

Most often, in the areas of more traditional peoples, they are simply exploited for their adherence to cultural roots, turned into a theme park ride, (buy your tickets for a free showing of tribes and the “Old Ways”). I looked at this, observed the lack of regard for their true state of being. They perform, dance, make jewelry, all to appease the tourists. To me, I wanted to know who these people were beyond what they were selling, I wanted to know the truth behind the facade. And so I took out my cards. I took to magic as a way to open up their hearts, the way mine had opened to the conditions they endured.

I remember my first visit to the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar in Egypt. At first glance, the merchants treated me as a typical “tourist” who could be finagled into a purchase by the quick and calculated words of a seasoned salesman. And, to their credit, they had succeeded, twice, maybe three times. I recall a very feeble old man, missing a row of his top front teeth. He didn’t try to sell me, he simply smiled and showed me his wares and tugged at my shirt gently and innocently.

I looked down at a handful of Scarab beetles, trinkets of protection. Sensing he could
use a smile on top of the sale I was about to give him, I took one scarab in my hand and said “watch”. I proceeded to turn it into a larger scarab, then made it disappear and reappear on his shoulder. He lite up with such joy it radiated throughout the Bazaar.

Within seconds, other merchants gathered around and I found myself performing for the whole street. Afterwards, I was taken into shop owners houses for tea, escorted around and paraded as an equal. I was, in one mans words, a “brother”. I realized, in that moment, that magic had a power beyond its simple use to instill an emotion of joy and disbelief, It had the ability to bring people together on an unworldly level.

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Rich Manley

Photographer | Adventuruer | Illusionist
Rich Manley, a world-wide adventurer and explorer, has studied archeology, anthropology, and culture. His adventures incapsulate extreme skills and activities such as underwater exploration, trekking and climbing through deserts, mountains and glaciers to reach his destinations. Through the nature of this "off the beaten path" travel, Rich is able to capture organic and stunning photography and video from around the globe.
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© 2020 Expedition Rich, Rich Manley. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Website by INLANDLIGHT

About

Rich ManleyRich Manley is a world-wide adventurer and explorer. Inspired by his late grandfather, who was a traveling doctor, adventurer, and magician, Rich explores the globe by following in his grandfathers footsteps.

Shattering cultural barriers through his own magic, he chronicles his global expedition, while investigating man-made ecological catastrophes, indigenous cultures, and other compelling stories.

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© 2020 Expedition Rich, Rich Manley. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Website by INLANDLIGHT

About
Rich
Manley

Rich Manley, a world-wide adventurer and explorer, has studied archeology, anthropology, and culture. His adventures incapsulate extreme skills and activities such as underwater exploration, trekking and climbing through deserts, mountains and glaciers to reach his destinations. Through the nature of this "off the beaten path" travel, Rich is able to capture organic and stunning photography and video from around the globe. Well versed as a magician, Rich uses his talents of sleight of hand to amaze and shatter cultural barriers an attempt to learn from all those he encounters. An advocate of preservation of wildlife, cultural heritage sites, and the environment, Rich uses the lenses eye to expand the awareness and the beauty of the natural world. Rich chronicles his global expedition as he investigates man-made ecological catastrophes, indigenous cultures, and other compelling stories.