El Fishawy café, Khan el-Khalili, Cairo, 1950, night

El Fishawy café, Khan el-Khalili, Cairo, 1950, night. A young unveiled Egyptian woman artist sketches in a notebook at a small brass table under ornate mirrors and hanging lanterns. An old waiter carrying a tray of tea glasses leans in, surprised to recognize his own face on her page. Shisha smoke, arabesque wood, warm golden glow, busy alley behind.