Day 13 Cairo

Trip Start Oct 14, 2008

Trip End Nov 05, 2008

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Where I stayed

Nile Hilton Hotel Cairo

(Cairo hotels)

Flag of Egypt Cairo, Egypt
Sunday, October 26, 2008

So nice to not have to wake up call early in this morning!

Got up leisurely at 7:30 am , sat in the balcony outside our room watching another tour group at a distance starting their orientation meeting by the pool. Can't believe that was where we were a week ago.

We covered so much in a week it seems like we should have done all that over several weeks or months.

Went down to have breakfast and saw a few people from the group who are leaving later today. Most of the group left early this morning.. I mean early.. So nice to take your time to enjoy breakfast for a change.
Met up with the Insight rep at the lobby after we checked out

Egyptian Muesum view from room

. A mini van took us to the Nile Hilton.
The rep actually took us into the hotel and took our passports to reception . The room was not ready so we left our luggage with the bellman and went to the hotel shops. We booked the Giza Sound and Light show with the American Express travel office for tomorrow at 5:10. 288 LE for 2.
There are 4 -5 ATM's at the near by no problem getting cash.
There is a shopping center next to the hotel with 3 floors of shops, caf�, food court, travel agencies. We looked around the stores and ended up in a store that sells a varieties of things: shirts, scarfs, essences, glass bottles. I wanted some aroma oil and that I should have pick up at Aswan. The shop keeper is very friendly like they all are.

The usual process: First make friendly small talks - ask where you are from . if you just name the country then name the cities to show off his knowledge then said yes I have been there or have friends/relatives there. Then some form of testimony from other travelers from your country by showing us a note book with other comments. One of the pages has a Canadian flag sticker . Next is to offer you tea to to talk over what you want to buy

Subway entrance

. Once you show interest of the item, then show you how it works and other you also 'must have' . How you will need more then 1 item to get discount or some free gift like buy 3 bottles of oil get the glass burner free.
We ended up with 2 small bottles of oil one for cold and other for muscles/facial.
Then the bargaining starts. Started with 680 EGP then we said 300 then he said it is 440 for 1 bottle and we already getting 35% off. We counter 350 EGP ended up w with 420. I am sure we paid too much but there is no way to tell by how much.

We found an Internet caf� 10 EGP for an hour ($2.00) so we both get on to do some surfing. I tried to update my travel blog and check e-mail. The keyboard has English and Arabic symbols can be confusing.
We were able to check-in fianlly around 2:30 pm. We have a room over looking the Egyptian Museum. Not a bad room but very dated. Built in the 50's everywhere you look it feels like it. It even have a Nokia TV.
Oh well the hotel will no longer be a Hilton by the end of the year. We were told it was bought out and not sure if it will be rebuilt or just renovated. It needs it badly.
Went out toward the big traffic circle trying to cross to the other side. Talking about taking you life at your own hand. Traffic circle must be left from the British occupation days, seems very popular.

Walk around the streets of Cairo is interesting to say the least

Traffic circle

. People walk up to you doing the 'routine' where are you from then say 'you are welcome' I like Canada ,then first time in Egypt how long then whatever they are pitching- store, tour or whatever . Also if you need any help let me know come to my store and I will give my business card, no buying or no hassle. Have they ever heard of carrying their business card with them?.. No thanks after you say no a few times they will back down and said have nice time. No sooner we get pass one another will walk up.
Decided to get some food so stopped at the KFC snack box was 10 EGP dinner box is 22 EGP.

Saw a local coffee place stopped in to buy some Hibiscus tea. The young store keeper spoke very little English. Very refreshing to deal in non tourist store with no bargaining. 50 bag box for 9 EGP (Can $2.00)

Wanted to buy some coffee but having trouble communicating we wanted to buy just the beans and we do not want a 50kg bag. Everyone seems to buy coffee in small amount then the store clerk grind it for you (don't think people have coffee grinder at home.). We ended up not buying any coffee, just the tea.

Traffic circle

Walk up and down the streets. As you get away from the hotel area towards the locals area the more pleasant it gets. We remembered our Guide said shops tends to be group in area for the same thing... well we found shoes... massive, bright stores of shoes of every kind and every colours jammed at the display window. Store after store after store. Then there was shirts and suits, one after another.
Street vendors like NY selling knock off items - cell phone cases, Calvin Klein's sweater, shocks...etc
Along the side streets, tiny shops with hub caps, car repair, drinks, snacks, chocolates (stored in fringe) tea house with men only drinking tea, watching soccer on TV, smoking water pipes, playing back gammon. Side walk food vendor with strange looking sausages hanging. There were a few theaters with local movies and Hell boy...(huh? LOL).
We stopped at this big and busy bakery. We picked up 2 pieces of cake for 650 EGP.
We made it back to the hotel after a long walk thru traffic, crossing many lanes of cars, taxis and buses. We went thru the subway tunnel to cross back to the other side of the traffic circle where the hotel is.. If is easier but many steps to go up and down to get there. So I am not sure you can call it 'easy'.
Got back to the room, we sat by the window watching Cairo at night while enjoying our tea and cakes.
Another fun day in Egypt...

Note : EGP = Egyptian Pound
10 EGP = Can $2.30
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