First day in Cairo

Trip Start Oct 30, 2007
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Trip End Nov 18, 2007


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Flag of Egypt  ,
Friday, November 2, 2007

Well, we made it.  We got into our hotel at 1:30am last night after a nice flight from LHR and an interesting time trying to get connected with our transfer driver at the airport in Egypt.  First impressions and observations:
- The stores at the airport are different than at Heathrow.  Heathrow=Channel and Harrods, Egypt=used washing machines and refrigerators.
- It doesn't matter if you are a non-smoker, you are a smoker in Egypt... smoke is everywhere.
- You will wake up at 4:40am every morning from the first prayers of the day which are broadcast by loud speakers all over the city.
- Food is good so far - had tasty hummus, shwarma, and baba ganoush tonight.
- Driving here is like pole position combined with Frogger.  Pedestrians have the last right of way (or wrong of way as Kev puts it) behind cars, mopeds, horses, and kids pulling carts.

We saw some of the oldest Mosques today and the famous Khan al Khalili bazaar (sp?) which as you might expect was just plain crazy and crowded to the gills, but still neat. Tomorrow is the Pyramids!!!, Egypt Museum (King Tut), and an overnight train to Aswan.

Will post again soon.
Kristi and Kevin
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Comments

twoparrots
twoparrots on Nov 3, 2007 at 06:48AM

Have Fun
This looks like a cool way to let people vicariously share your trip. I won't bug you - just enjoy the experience and don't forget that *all* prices are negotiable there - agree to them up front and haggle, haggle, haggle! Even getting a coke at a cafe - ask what the price is and haggle before actually getting the coke. Not kidding - I paid $5 for one because I just ordered a coke without asking at at some street cafe.

Clyde

chicagogal
chicagogal on Nov 3, 2007 at 08:58AM

Re: Have Fun
Thanks for the advice. We have been lucky as our travel leader has advised us of how much at most we should pay for taxis, food, tips, etc. Just left a souq (market( in Aswan and bought a scarf and cotton shirt. Both owners were not happy when I left, so I know that I got a good deal. *insert smiley face here as this keyboard does not seem to want to do a colon.

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