Cairo, Egypt (Mother of the world)

Oh Cairo, oh Cairo. Cairo is like a bad drug. It is bad for your health, but you want more and more of it. It is polluted, poor, polluted, corrupt to the core, noisy, chaotic, did i mention polluted?

But alas, it is beautiful.Cairo has an energy that is raw and powerful, that i have only felt in India. It is alive. The nile river, the beautiful restaurants on its sides, the beautiful old bulidings...But it is the people that make it special. The people are so warm, welcoming, friendly and above all funny. Egyptians are like no other people when it comes to their sense of humor. Life is tough, very tough. Their answer to this is to laugh. They are witty and love to crack jokes non-stop.

This was another city we almost skipped. What were we thinking??



A Bad Beginning

Our introduction to Egypt was horrible and started in Athens as we boarded the plane for Cairo. Behind us were three very naughty boys who kicked, slammed their trays, yelled and joked all flight. Their mother seemed to not realize they were even on the flight as she talked to her friend. The thing is, our flight was at 2 a.m. , so we were tired and wanted to sleep. WRONG!

Then we arrived at the airport, and we got the sleeziest cabby in Cairo. He had a smile that would scare a marine. He made politicans look like nice people. He quoted us a price, and then the whole way to he hotel tried to convince me to pay him more. It was a rough ride. We were so tired, frustrated from the flight and just ready to sleep, and he was like a bird of prey when it realizes its prey is weak and about to die....it starts picking at it, picking at it, trying to hurry the death, and feeding.

We were so disgusted, the next day we awoke in our hotel afraid to leave our room, lest we be preyed on again. But thank God we didn't let a blood sucker ruin our stay and image of the people of Egypt. Everyone we met after him, has been so nice and welcoming. Sure, some ask for more money, or try to over charge us, but with a sense of humor. And we can laugh it off.


Zamalek, my dad's old stomping grounds

Our hotel is in Zamalek, an island in the middle of the nile in the center of Cairo. It is home to the embassies here, lots of trees, beautiful old buildings, and once, in the 60's was home to my dad. Dad, i now can see why you loved Cairo. Even though Zamalek has changed, it has not lost its charm.


Ibtisam and family

Honestly, the reason we are enjoying Cairo so much is that my mom met us here. She went to college here so has friends here and knows the city. Her friend, Ibtisam, her husband, Adel and their daughter, Niimat have opened their hearts and home to us. They have been so generous to us, especially with their time. We can't thank them enough. It makes a BIG difference the company you keep. We felt like family from the moment we walked into their house. Dad, Ibtisam misses you SO much. And Samir and Iten also miss you SO much.


Al-Ahli vs. Al-Zamalek

We were lucky enough to be in Cairo when Al-Ahli played Al-Zamalek. When these 2 Cairo soccer teams play, it is like the Superbowl. When you meet an Egyptian anywhere, one of the first questions you would ask them is if they are 'Ahlawi, or Zamelkawi?' It is a BIG rivalry and great to experience Cairo during a match.

Al- Ahli won 2-1, so the Ahli fans were in the streets waving flags, dancing, singing, cars honking their horns...traffic was at a standstill.


The Pyramids and the Sphinx

What can you say about the pyramids and the sphinx? I got the chills there. Seeing the pyramids and the sphinx moved me so much. The pyramids are HUGE and truly strike awe in people. They are not pretty. They are not like a pretty teen girl. They are old, withered, like an old classy woman, who knows who she is, knows she is old, but can stand up with pride and a true beauty eminates from within.