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Published: September 11th 2007
(kees)
So it was a slow exit out of the chaos and fumes of Casablanca. Then hurray for 50mins down the N11 motorway. Upon arrival I had a very friendly encounter with the Moroccan security, one was drunk and the other two not doing a lot either. When asked where I cycled from, I told them Rabat, they were all pretty enthused and the drunk guard kissed me on the forehead! It was much the same in the airport, no kisses or drunkenness but general enthusiasm; security seemed more interested in my bike than security. So that was that. I got a few surprise looks when turning up at the barley with the bike but after being asked to flatten the tyres (who the hell knows why) and wrapping it up in plastic, they were happy to take it. Upon arrival to Cairo, I was only to find out that my bike had suffered under the baggage handlers and was in serious need of repair- in Egypt! -couldn't have happened at a worse place.
Cairo though was an interesting enough city. Despite the traffic chaos, constant touting and lack of road crossing points (you just have to cross then
dodge whatever is coming), I had a good three days, checked out the Nile, the city's markets, the museum and the pyramids of Giza. I even made some new friends and enjoyed some of the city's bars (after a long dry spell in Morocco it was about time!).
Unfortunately, but it does provide some entertainment, nearly everyone on the street is trying to make a buck of you, especially out at Giza. Common sales techniques: one dodgy ride dropped us off outside an obvious tourist operator, and called it a 'government tourist office', then everyone there is selling camel rides and whatever else, others suggested that the pyramids were closed and the only way to get in is by camel; then your usual salesmen talk about specials "half price today", "special Egyptian price", "my friend my friend for you, cheap"- prices can be in Euros, sometimes dollars and then back to Egyptian Pounds. It's worse than Morocco and even worse than Indonesia! A common phrase I'd use is "no speak English"- it does work from time to time.
Following Cairo, with a fellow traveller, I headed up to Alexandria. The city was all a bit quieter than that
Cairo place. It had the usual markets and salespeople but also had a spectacular waterfront with the odd ruin.
Well the old bike is kind of half repaired so I decided that cycling the northern Coast to the Suez Canal is probably the best way to go. I have the tent so road-side accomodation shouldn't be a problem :-/
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Yoonah
non-member comment
Hahaha I so can't imagine you saying 'no speak English'. And very nice-looking new friend you've got there. High five!