I guess all you can say is that life is treating you extremely well when you can toddle off to Egypt on a weekend break. We are currently attempting to take full advantage of the opportunities our jobs in Saudi are providing us - particularly in the area of travel. Since I was a child I marveled at the grandeur of the pyramids of Giza. I often wondered what they would be in like in real life... Young self, they are amazing.
Of course, the history of Egypt is fascinating, some of which we witnessed in the Egyptian museum. From pharaohs to mummies to treasures to grand tales this place has the lot. Luckily our group had our own tour guide who explained every display in a precise and interesting way. Cairo is an interesting spot, the definition of a mixture of cultures and traditions. The whole place seems like it is being held together by sticky tape and could fall to pieces at any minute. The amount of rubbish and dirt in the city is truly alarming (and I am as far away from a greenie as you can get.) There is no denying the place has a run down feel to it, kind of like a city that was bombed during a war and was never properly rebuilt, but therein I feel lies its charm.
Apart from the less than clean hygiene aspect of the place, Cairo couldn't be more interesting. It makes Jeddah look like a rural easy-going village. The sheer hustle and bustle of the place is undeniable. We were lucky enough to get to visit the Coptic part of the city and see where St. George was held back in the day. I found it fascinating to see Arabic script alongside Christian iconography and relics.
And we also managed to squeeze in a quite entertaining night-time cruise down part of the mightily impressive Nile river. Entertainment coming by way of a manic whirling dervish-like dancer and his dwarf accomplice. The entrainment for the night came to a climax by way of a male/female belly dancer gyrating to some manic beats from an impressive three-man drum crew and keyboardist.
Contrary to what we were told beforehand the people of Cairo couldn't be more accommodating and friendly. A tiny bit of Arabic (enough to say hello, and how are you?) and friendly approach can go a long way along with a will to haggle and barter.
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| Tuk Tuk rescue |
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| Downtown Cairo |
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| The view from our hotel |
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| Another day, another tourist |
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| Mind-boggling hieroglyphics |
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The Sphinx's rear end
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