Cairo

We actually ended up spending four nights in Cairo. We arrived in Egypt via Cairo, and stayed our first night there. After our Nile River cruise, we returned to Cairo and spent two nights. We also left Egypt from Cairo, spending the last night of our honeymoon and the majority of the next day in Egypt's largest city.

Cairo is much that is wrong with major cities; endemic smog and traffic plague the city. There are many homeless and the crowds simply have to be experienced to be appreciated. A taxi ride to the pyramids took about 20 minutes. The ride back - at peak traffic - took well over an hour. My ears were literally ringing from the abuse of the horn that occurs on Cairo's streets. The simple act of crossing the street is an exercise in trust, patience and a strong heart.

On the other hand, there is a certain charm to Cairo. The people are friendly. Tourists are truly welcome here. Yes we are often looked upon as walking wallets but our presence is genuinely appreciated. Good food is widely available. There is a lot to see, a lot to do and a lot of history. Crime (particularly violent crime) is unusually low - especially for a city the size of Cairo. The chaos and confusion help define Cairo and give it a certain energy.

Lonely Planet has a pretty good - online guide. The following are images from around town:


	Top: View of the Nile from our hotel room on a rare smog-free day Left: View of the Nile as it is suppose to look, through a good thick layer of smoke and haze. Another view of Cairo from our hotel and one from the Citadel. It is a very densely packed city.


	Above Left: As talented as a man carrying a dozens of bread loaves on his head - in heavy traffic may seem, you haven't seen anything until you've seen them doing this on a bike. Above: Making flatbread . Left: A typical Egyptian walk-up. Five to seven stories, it was probably nice once but has fallen into disrepair. Took this while hopelessly lost. Below: Egypt has a slew of aging classical buildings. The taller one on the left appears to have been added to, probably in the 70's.


	Above Right: Many buildings appear unfinished. Yet people are obviously living in them. Apparently, if you don't actually complete the building, you don't pay taxes on it. Very clever. The Archi-dork in me couldn't miss this observation. All building in Egypt since the mid 70's is of the same construction technique. Concrete post and lintel with brick infill and plaster walls. I especially like the fact that no attempt is made to cover up where the stairs meet the wall (see photo at left).

	Above Left: I love this photo. Can't explain why. Taken near Khan al Khalili. A surprising amount of construction was in progress. Left: Another dilapidated building near Khan al Khalili.