Cairo
01/15/08 find more in Travels
Cairo is not a small city. Sixteen million people
live in Cairo, another two travel in for the daily
grind. I have never seen traffic like we are
experiencing here. On the ride from the airport to
our hotel last night we were fortunate to experience
a little road culture. A young couple was apparently
married that day and as part of the cerimony the
wedding party decided to hold up the freeway traffic.
The couple in a back of a pickup truck sitting upon
two dining chairs surrounded by cars and mopeds with
multiple riders lighting and throwing firecrackers at
approaching cars trying to pass the 20 kph
procession. We did not stick around to see the road
stains that were sure to follow.
We met our guide in the morning, Magada. A wonderful woman who slightly reminded me of my third grade teacher. Our first stop was the Egyptian museum. Amazing antiqueties most of which are housed in the original cases built in the 20s. Everything from the mummys of the kings to some of King Tuttenkamens treasures. I find it very interesting that the only reason King Tut is so well known is that his tomb was the only tomb discovered that had not been looted, he only ruled for nine years. Where as King Ramses the second (I think) ruled for over sixty.
After the Egyptian National Museum we headed for the Citadel. The Citadel is an amazing mosk. Large and open with wonderful architecture. From there to the bazaar. Bazaar meets the definition completely, everything from every size hooka pipes, gold jewelry, to spices. People watching at its best.
We met our guide in the morning, Magada. A wonderful woman who slightly reminded me of my third grade teacher. Our first stop was the Egyptian museum. Amazing antiqueties most of which are housed in the original cases built in the 20s. Everything from the mummys of the kings to some of King Tuttenkamens treasures. I find it very interesting that the only reason King Tut is so well known is that his tomb was the only tomb discovered that had not been looted, he only ruled for nine years. Where as King Ramses the second (I think) ruled for over sixty.
After the Egyptian National Museum we headed for the Citadel. The Citadel is an amazing mosk. Large and open with wonderful architecture. From there to the bazaar. Bazaar meets the definition completely, everything from every size hooka pipes, gold jewelry, to spices. People watching at its best.
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