Al-Qahira (The Victorious)
Well, we've arrived safe and sound in Cairo after a 1 hour delay with our plane. It appears some parts fell off and they had to go back to the terminal and tape them back on. But seriously, all we understood from the captain was something about a technical problem and going back to retrieve something. When a panicking passenger behind us asked a flight attendant what was wrong the conversation went something like this:
Panicking Woman: "What is the problem?"
Flight Attendant: "ehhh..."
Woman: "A technical problem?"
Attendant: "ehhhh......yes....We go back now...and....ehhhh....make plane safe."
But we still really enjoyed the flight because the plane was basically empty, they served good food and the flight attendants were friendly.
Upon landing, they stopped me at Immagration for some reason and we waited about 20 minutes before they called us back and asked me if I was really who I said I was. Thankfully, they ended up letting us through.
Some of our first impressions of Cairo:
- People hanging out of buses and running to jump on them without the bus stopping
- Lots and lots of honking and crazy traffic
- Red lights and traffic signals mean nothing
- We're learning the art of dodging cars as we dash across the street
- It's hard to tell who's just being friendly and who's being friendly to get something out of us
- Everyone is happy to see the sun go down because they can finally eat something (it's Ramadan)
We found a great place to stay called Hotel Luna. It's clean, comfortable and cheap. Tomorrow we're planning to go to the Egyptian Museum and Wednesday we'll do the pyramids.
Just read your adventure in Cairo. I was in Dubai, UAE a few years ago and your comments reminded me of my adventure. The plane I was on was only a few years old and it seemed safe, and it was, but who knows just because I made safely? In Dubai, lots of honging and crazy driving, maybe like Boston. Didn't see people hanging out of buses though.
Many people wanting to help you for a price.
Brings back memories.
Be careful and have fun
Love
Dad
These are the times that make me glad Grandma does not have internet access. I'll skip the details of the plane ride and tell her you arrived safely in a very modern, busy city. We'll call it loving editing! Have fun and hang on to your wallets. Love, Papa.
My favorite is the hotel luna website, did they take a picture of every single bed in the hotel? It's amazing really, the beauty and uniqueness of every twin bed!
I also really enjoyed Michael's play-by-play on the conversation between the flight attendant and the passenger- maybe next time you two could do a dramatic reading to accompany the text- the next little sound bite after the market... think about it. love and miss you, lexa
Hi Mike & Megan,
Stay safe in Cairo!
Election Day is coming up next week and I've been put in charge of the overnight team at NJ. I'll feed you guys info as I get it. Hopefully you'll come back to a new prez :)
You'll have to let me know what world opinion is like when Kerry (fingers crossed takes over).
All of us in D.C. miss you incredibly!
Ohh, so glad you're hittin the museum. I happen to think that museum is one of the best I've ever been to. I had a terrific tour guide when I was there though, so that made a ton of difference. Try to get some local to explain a lot of the history there, because for instance, you see a lot of King Tut's "booty", but it's not until you realize that he wasn't even a *cool* King and that his personal bounty wasn't even impressive compared to what other Pharaohs (sp?) had.
I'd avoid the light and laser show at the Pyramids at night. Slightly sketchy and Epcot-esque, that had me cracking up for hours later. "I ammmmm the SPHYNXX!!!! I have watched over this desert for hundreds of years!!!" boomed the sound recording. Scary. :). Have a ton of fun and be safe!
This time in English, so everybody can understand it: I read an article today, that 72% (of about 500 Austrians who were asked) would like to see Kerry as your new president - why can't WE vote on Tuesday????
Hoffentlich habt ihr morgen einen weniger aufregenden Flug, und alles, alles Gute für euer interessantes Ghana-Abenteuer!
Bussi, Henni
Hey you two,
I am finally catching up with Cairo and you are already in Ghana!
Love to both of you!
Mama/Sanna and David