Cairo has an energy unlike any other city I have visited, sidewalk cafes are open until wee hours of the night and the people have an easy sense of humor about their chaotic city life.
People in Cairo prefer walking in the street, sidewalks are reserved for vendors and parking. The traffic police directs pedestrians instead of vehicles as busy intersections.
Unlike other cities that have stray dogs, Cairo is overrun by stray cats that the Egyptians revere as the goddess Bastet.
Its difficult to describe the scale and magnificence of the Great Pyramids at Giza, suffice to say that they are only exceeded by the persistence and deceit of the touts surrounding the site.
The fully excavated Sphinx looks a little naked without all the sand around it, walking around it at sunset was a little eerie. It even has a tail!
The wonderfully antiquated Cairo Museum overflows with Egyptian relics from the Pharaohs to more recent times. Exhibits are displayed in 19th century cabinets with typewritten notes on index cards.
Al-Azhar mosque and university is a symbol of Islamic Egypt since 970 AD. It is in the old part of town and is surrounded by narrow market alleys and other Islamic building from various eras.
It is impossible to walk in Cairo and not stumble into a Sheesha cafe, some are open 24 hours. Historically, they were exclusively male establishments but I saw women aplenty.
This was the best meal I had in Cairo, crispy pigeon stuffed with flavored rice and spices along with a cup of steaming broth. On the side, pita bread, hummus, fresh salad and pickled vegetables.
More pictures here (soon).
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