Cairo
We arrived late in the day after a five-hour flight to Cairo. As we stepped from the aircraft, England was immediately forgotten. The start of our holiday in Egypt had arrived!
It was mid February 1999 when Sarah and I decided to visit this Country, that is to say, "their winter time." However, their winter was like a pleasant English summer day in Kent. It's a very dry heat in Egypt, with the evenings being quite cool. All of this was to our liking, which ensured that our fifteen days of adventure in this wonderful land went at break neck speed... Up at five most mornings, ensuring that we could fit in all the tours around the Great Pyramids of Giza, the old quarter of Cairo, the bazaars and the Cairo museum.
The mighty Pyramids at Giza! Built some 4,600 years ago. The first and largest Pyramid to be built during the reign of Khufu (Cheops). Khafre (Chephren) second to be built. Menkaure (Mycerinos) the third and smallest. Incidentally, their Greek names are in brackets. Pyramid in Pharaonic terms symbolise The Place of Ascension.
Our first stop was the Meridien Pyramids Hotel, Giza. From here Sarah and I could see the Pyramids, that is, when the pollution from the traffic had cleared. Below: The Cairo Museum. (A very busy place indeed).
Although the considerable amounts of traffic driving at break-neck speed made crossing a road 'dicing with death,' we didn't see any collisions or any serious traffic jams. We did see some odd overtaking though. I never came across any road rage either! At night the vehicles never had more than one or two lights on at a time, if any at all, especially as the street lighting is very poor indeed. Traffic lights were non-existent and all of the time there is the sound of car and coach horns sounding. Interesting to see is the good road structure.
The Security and Tourist Police were evident in all parts of the City. Their machine pistols are old and worn. The Army still have a two-year conscription, but it seems to the novice eye that none of these forces even trust each other. It's the Police watching the Police. However, Sarah and I felt very safe and were welcomed in the most hospitable and friendliest way. 'Incidentally, Sarah is my sixteen year old daughter.
The Egyptian men, we observed, were very close to each other! They would walk along in the most embracing way, holding hands together or with an arm around their friend. Touching the side of the face three times, then an embrace when meeting. There was nothing adverse in this; it's just their culture. Egyptians are simply at ease and at peace with each other. We found this to be more prevalent in Lower Egypt rather than in Upper Egypt, such as Luxor and Aswan. The magic of Egypt, Sarah and I will never forget. To this day I continually think of Egypt and its' mysteries. Its' uniqueness will forever be with me... Our friend, Nabil Riad would say, "Bukkra insha-Allah.' Tomorrow, if God will it." (I write of Nabil in the Aswan page).
All the Egyptians with whom we spoke with have a good sense of humour; we were always their friends! As were the entire tourists who visit, Egypt. "No problem my friend," was the standard vocabulary - of which it seemed every taxi driver and shop vendor used. The amazing thing is, everyone of them could speak several languages. Be aware of those connected to the 'unofficial' tourist guides? They would read our hesitation or the slightest interest, thus it would be considered as an opportunity to trade. After several forceful requests of 'lá shukran,' (no thanks) they would pass, with much flourish, onto the next tourist.
There are seven other pages available to view. I do hope our adventure is to your interest. Rob.
<<Please click the link to the left for an
adventure to:
Giza, The Pyramids, Sphinx, Luxor, Hurghada, Aswan, Kom
Ombo, Edfu, Esna, The Temple of Isis at Philae and Abu Simbel.