Goodbye Middle East

Trip Start Sep 04, 2008
1
20
61
Trip End Ongoing


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Where I stayed
(Cairo hotels)

Flag of Egypt  ,
Saturday, November 1, 2008

Well, getting back to Cairo from Israel wasn't exactly easy, but I made it in time to see the pyramids and tour Cairo a little bit.  I was able to find a service taxi from Taba near the border, into Cairo.  It dumped me off on the outskirts of the city at about 12:30 AM, but you couldn't tell from the action going on in the street (actually not a dirt road, but pure dust).  I eventually found a cab to take me into central Cairo, where I already knew my way around a little bit.  Eventually, I stumbled upon a hostel at about two in the morning.

The next day, I went out to the pyramids, haggled for a horse ride, but never was able to agree on a price.  They start out so high, I am tempted to say yes just to see their reaction.  Later, I sat in central Cairo and smoked a sheesha (water pipe).  I had determined that the constant inhalation of tobacco was ten times healthier than breathing the air of Cairo.

The Middle East was great.  A quick recap: the nicest people were in Syria, hands down.  Best sites were in Egypt, but I think that's fairly obvious.  My favorite city was Jerusalem.  I think I should try to mediate the peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians.  However, my argument is based on the historical inaccuracies and absence of rational thought that are endemic to both religions, so maybe my chances are slim.

Ok, no more talk of religion.  On to India, land of over one million incarnations of deities.
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