Citadel, Museum and Markets

Trip Start Feb 07, 2009
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Trip End Mar 19, 2009


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Flag of Egypt  ,
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

An early start - we got picked up in the bus with Ahmed at 8am. Drove to the Citadel which is one of the highest spots in Cairo. The fortress walls enclose several museums - we went inside the Military Museum, as well as several mosques, we went inside Mohammed Ali (no, not the fighter) Mosque and 1 other. M.A mosque is magnificent, white alabaster everywhere, so huge and impressive inside.

We took several great photos, love the one Adrian took of the girls with their blue plastic show covers (too cold for them to take their shoes off), the boys and I took our shoes off and walked around. I totally forgot about the "no shoes on the carpet" rule and dropped them as I was taking a photo. Luckily Ahmed scooped them up quick smart. When we finished looking through the Mosque, we walked out onto a pretty big area which would have given perfect views of Cairo on a clear day (if that ever happens) Military Museum with Mosque in background
Military Museum with Mosque in background
 . Instead we had to peer throught the smog and imagine the Pyramids in the distance.

Next we drove to the museum. Again it was just great that it was just us on our tour, Ahmed led us around to the main areas and explained the story behind the items and also allowed us plenty of time to browse on our own. Adrian, Ange and I paid 100LE to enter the mummies room and I was glad to do it this time - some of them are perfectly preserved and you can see teeth, hair, nails and skin. We sort of expected some of them to open their eyes as we peered in the glass cases. We were in the museum about 2 1/2 hours, then headed out to a boat next to the Nile for a buffet (not nearly as good as the Renaissance food).

Then drove to the downtown area where Mike's aunt Georgette has her shop. Such a dirty, horrible little area, nothing like the busy markets we went to next. We only stayed about 10 mins and that was too long. Drove then to the tourist markets Khan el Khalili. It was a little awkward having Ahmed with us but but we managed to have a good look around and shopped a bit - Adrian bought a sheesha pipe, the girls and I got photo albums and other souvenirs.

we met the bus again - by now it was after 5 and headed back to Helene's for dinner. Jow persuaded Alanna to go out with him - they left at 9:20 and arrived home at 2am.
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