Egypt Part 3 - Cairo to Dahab

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People: We said goodbye to most of the people who were with us in Cairo. There's only five of the orginal group left including myself and we also gained two new people. Other than that, not too much new to report on this front.

Activities: Hurghada is a very touristy water-centric town. Kinda similar to the Gold Coast in Australia. Several of us decided to go snorkelling on the Red Sea. Now, it wasn't the coldest water I've ever been in but it was the coldest snorkelling I've ever done. The seven of us only lasted 20 minutes in the water. Then, once we got out of the water, the wind was so cold we had to run inside. It was _so_ cold that one of the group passed out! He recovered really quickly but it was a real scare. He's ok now though. After that only three of the group (not me, I read a book) went snorkelling at the second location.

After Hurghada we drove back into Cairo and that's where we lost and gained people. We also visited the Cairo Museum. Now, I'd already gone to the museum on my first day in Egypt but Tutankamun's artifacts were still just as amazing to see as the first time. After that several of us decided to go to Islamic Cairo (the oldest part). It was....an adventure. I think we walked about 7km. We did find it and spent most of our time in a giant market meant for the locals and not tourists.

Then we drove to Dahab. Went to St. Catharines monastary and hiked up Mt. Sinai. That was HARD. I don't know why I keep hiking up mountains because I'm not entirely sure I enjoy the process. Anyway, we boiled and froze in stages depending is we were resting or walking. And then there were the 750 uneven rock steps to the top.

Food: The food in Dahab is amazing. I can see why people come here and then don't leave. We've had amazing burgers and shakes and the best fried rice I think I've ever had. Also, I had a local dish called kushari. Rice and macaroni and beans and tomato sauce. Very tasty!

Weather: Still cold.

Observations: As we go through Egypt it seems that there are more buildings under construction or partially built than there are finished buildings. For some it looks like the money just ran out and building just stopped entirely. The ones that are still under construction show the common Egyptian building method. First they build all the floors and stairs out of concrete and then leave the reinforcing wires sticking out of the top of their support columns. Supposedly in case they decide to build a little higher in the future? I don’t know. Anyway, after they have all their floors they immediately begin putting up brick walls around the outside edges of the building with no insulation or reinforcing of any kind (that I can see). After that they _may_ put in a wooden window frame and a glass pane. But it seems to be optional. So, wood, insulation and reinforcements don’t seem to come into the equation. It doesn’t exactly make me feel like I’d like to live in any of these buildings.

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