Cairo- A city leading a double life

---

Cairo is...


A city of congested, exhaust filled streets... A city of back alleyways perfumed by exotic Arabian oils and apple tobacco.

A city of ancient splendor... A city dealing with current day filth.

A city of designer shoes poking from beneath Bur qua clad women... A city clutching PRADA handbags with black gloved hands.

A city continuously filled with Chaotic noise... A city that stills 5 times daily as men pause, chanting in rhythmic prayer.

A city where Taxi Cabs hail you... not the other way around.

A city where the local people continually welcome you as you walk through the streets (“Welcome to Egypt!”, “Where do you come from?”, “Enjoy our city!”)... A city where reciprocating that openness is a cause for a long drawn out 'sales pitch' that comes in many, many forms...

Cairo is a city clearly leading a double life... however, it is all there for you to discover... just watch your step when you cross the chaotic streets and ensure to “Walk like an Egyptian!!!”

I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story...

Until next time...

---

Photos

Camel Jockies
Yeah, that's right, we rode camels to the pyramids!

The Great Pyramids of Giza
Three big ones for the kings and 8 small ones for the queens and the sphinx

Egyptian RC(C)MP
Really, Corrupt, (Camel) Mounted Police

The towel strikes again...
Me on my camel "Micky Mouse" and my two buds Reedo & Russ!

Camel Cow-Girl
Kels and her camel "Michael Jackson" (Not a bad back drop either!)

Searching for a secret tunnel
Or just touching the pyramid!

Kels and a 5000 year old cat
The Sphinx & Pryamid at Giza.

The dessert wall
On one side the Saharra & the Pyramids, on the other...garbage.

Kels, Rabe & Michael Jackson
Our "Camel Coach"

Stepped Pyramid
A quick pic at Saqqara.

Turret & Crescent
One of many dotting the skyline

Amr Ibn al-As Mosque
The view of the city from the Citadel.

On the Nav
Between a map I found at the airport, a map in arabic, and a Korean Guide Book, we managed to "almost know where we were going!"

Muhammad Ali Mosque
Not named after the boxer...

The Cairo Tower
Oddly enough it's just an elevator shaft to a restaurant and bar at the top, nothing else is in the middle???

Cairo at night
Always busy, day or night!

Me: On The Nile
Walking like an egyptian...

Two Camels
Served on a silver platter!

Egyptian Coffee
Black and Sludgey and Good!

Look what I found...Egyptian Rosé!
Notice the black bag it comes in...very descrete!

Egyptian Take-Away
For 3 Egyptian Pounds (60 cents) rice, noodles, onions, beans and a tasty tomato sauce! Thank you!

Comments

[Kimberly]

Beautiful
Looks like your having the time of your life - Keep going and stay happy... I love this blog - living through your eyes... Kimberly