History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.
Cicero
A must-visit shop in Luxor is Gaddis bookshop. It sells much more than books; but what it sells is not the reason for a visit -- the reason for the visit is to step back, or down, into time. Modern street level requires that you duck your head as you step down into the shop. I love walking across the old wood floors and fingering through turn-of-the-century photographs.
Attaya Gaddis founded the shop, which originated as a photo studio, in 1907. His photographs capture Egypt's past. For example, he was present as burial objects were carried out of the tomb of Tutankhamun. New prints, such as these in the front display window, are taken from his plate glass negatives.
An old display of pencils and leads show how Attaya had the good sense to diversify. He made a good living as a photographer of tourists and their travels, but his descendants make their living from the magnificent book and souvenir shop that he built. It is a piece of Luxor history that I hope is preserved.
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