Walk like an Egyptian

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So here we are, underway once again.

We've been in Egypt a week so far and it has been great, absolutely manic in Cairo with late night, bright lit commercialism gone mad but friendly people and a chaos that just seems to work. We used the tram, bus and metro to go to all corners of the city and see thousand year old mosques, hundreds of cafes and the odd McDonalds and KFC (nothing purchased, promise).

We then headed by train to Alexandria which was less congested but no less full of shopping madness, the sea cleared the air and cooled things down which was nice relief from the petrol headaches we've had. We also had more than our share of loooooooong tea stops in waterfront cafes.

The bus then took us the 9 hours west then south west away from the coast to a little oasis town called Siwa which is a million miles from the previous cities. 300km from the coast it is quieter, dustier and hotter and amongst loads of palm trees on the very edge of the real sand sea desert. We head out there tomorrow for a jaunt, sunset, starry skies and (more worryingly) sandboarding. The town is beautiful in a dusty way, we will post more pics of it and the desert proper soon.

Having a great time so far and feel very welcome and settled.

Love to all back home.

C&A. x x x

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Photos

Egyptair
Don't be fooled by food or legroom, we always fly First

Cairo digs
Old/antique furniture

Alice
Reading in aforementioned mosque (2 days and she's fluent in arabic)

Shirted
You will notice little (read no) change in my shirt. It is washed nightly, I can assure you

Midan Mubarak
Looks nice in the pic without the diesel fumes and noise

Coptic
Coptic Christian cemetary (genuine touristing)

Alexandria
French colonial + mosques + med sea = Alexandria

Alexandria
So good to be by the sea

Must remember
Attempting to learn arabic phrases

Room downgrade
Into the desert and along come the mosquitos

Siwa town
The fort in the centre of town destroyed by?................rain.

Comments

[Dad]

Great pix
Great to see the pix. Looking forward to seeing pix from the desert too. You both look very much at home. Stay safe, Skype again when you can, Love Mum and Dad.x

[Richard]

Very Jealous
I'm pretty sure the Lost Ark is in Siwa, if you see it don't open it.

[Denise]

How romantic
I am just having my cheese and salad sandwich, outside is is cold damp and as David would say driech. For a few moments I am joining you on your adventure. Blooming mozzies! How do you learn a few arabic phrases? I found myself holding my breath in the city pictures and I am sure my gas alarm went off. Yes, I always have a gas monitor by my side, it's a drain thing. So proud of you and delighted you are having a fabulous time. Keep safe lots of love Denise XXXX