A must see in Cairo. They are building a new one near the Pyramids in Giza. In 1990 they said construction would start in 1992. In 1992 they said construction would start in 1994. In 1994 they said construction would start in 1996. In 1996 they said construction would start in 1998. In 1998 they said construction would start in 2000. In 2000 they said construction would start in 2003. Egyptian Time. Go figure…
Tag Archives: Cairo
Cairo Cat
This is a cat that is in a debris filled entrance to an abandoned building in downtown Cairo. I would like to tell you that the scene here wasn’t on the busiest street in Cairo, but that would be a lie. Abandoned buildings were quite common in Cairo. So was debris. Outside of Cairo, the issue became significantly more pronounced because there were a lot more abandoned buildings and a lot more stray cats and a lot more debris.
Cairo Breakfast
This is your basic Egyptian breakfast – bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans and falafel. Falafel is made from spiced fava beans, possibly combined with chickpeas and served as a fried ball. Or a 1001 other ways. You can’t eat too much bread, beans or falafel in Egypt. Unless you’re really poor and can’t afford it.
Cairo – American Coffee
Across from the King Tut was an American coffe shop. They had yummy double espressos and butter croisants. Cost about the same as in America – $5.
View From Hostel Balconey – Cairo
This is the view from a hostel where I stayed in Cairo. The hostel (Lialy Hostel 8 Talaat Harb Square) was located in the heart of the downtown Talaat Harb district and was a mere 10 minute walk to the Egyptian Museum and the Nile River. The hostel cost about $5 per night and included a breakfast. What I got was a dorm bed in a dorm room with 5 other people. Don’t get me wrong, they were all nice people and I met several people at the hostel with whom I had some nice conversations over meals. I also ran into some people I had met at other places in Egypt and did some story swapping and reminiscing about our travel adventures.
Cairo Market
This is a picture of an entrance to Khan Al-Khalili, the primary shopping district for tourists in Cairo. Go there, by all means, but let me tell you that the deeper you get into the market, which is huge, the more crowded it gets and the less you see tourists. And, did I say that it gets crowded? Scary crowded? Yes. And I’m not even claustrophobic. There were times when my movement came to a halt and only a little nudging got me, and everyone else, by the people who were stopped and browsing. Being in that crowd if so much as a cap gun went off would be akin to a death wish.
Cairo Hostel Room
This is a Cairo Hostel Room. Nothing special. Just a room with 6/8 beds where a person can sleep for $5-6 a night. Reminds me of your basic 60′s crash pad. Comes with a nifty balconey over looking a trashy alley where you can pee when the bathrooms aren’t working.
Me – Juiced in Cairo
There are juice bars all over Cairo. Yummy, yummy, yummy. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Definately not on the List To Be Approved by the U.S. FDA
Ho-Hos
You can get Ho-Ho’s all over Cairo for 10 cents. Whoa! Double Whoa!!
Me and Sashu on Train
I just happened to get assigned a seat next to the Korean gentleman you see in the picture. We traveled from Cairo to Aswan and then spent the next few days together. Great guy. Liked good beer. Significance? I meet people on the road. Sometimes, we wind up traveling together for a few days. It’s a bonding experience. I get to learn about them and their cultures and they get to learn about me and mine. It’s called cultural exchange. It happens every day, all over the world and I’m glad to get to take part in it whenever I ge the chance.