Egypt 2005

Camels trekking across the Arabian Desert

Rahwa top, next to Pyramids. Then enterance into the site of Pyramids, Spinx, Catacombs and Arabian Desert in Giza.

Pyramid. Then lower photo ...if you look really really hard you can see me squwatting next to one of the pyramid blocks up on the pyramid itself. I'm center of the photo but towards the bottom. Angle of photo is looking directly up. The pyramid seems endlessly going to the sky.

Steps on a Pyramid

Cheops with the Spinx. And another angle of Cheops with a horse driven cart.
Pyramid. Then the bottom shot is looking up at the pyramid at a closer distance. Gives perspective of size in comparison to people.
To answer the obvious question, did I go into the Pyramid, the answer is no. It cost a something like $10 US which really is cheap but there is nothing inside the pyramid. I had already been to the museum to see the artificates so it seemed pointless to pay and see nothing. There is no heiroglyphics inside, that is at other sites, which I didnt have time to see. I was only in Cairo for 6 days.

Souvineir brought back from Giza are two scrolls made from Papyrus (very cool) a little spinx figuring that my camel riding host gave me (he wanted to marry me. lol.) and perfume (extract- of a native flower from a valley in Egypt) It smell really good and a little goes a long way. It can last forever as there is no alcohol added, its pure.

Mariott Hotel in Cairo. A relaxing day, later that night we had a Nile river dinner with a belly dancer. I had photo's of the evening on my cell phone but with my luck my cell phone broke about a week after I got back and I lost all the photos from Egypt, England , Wales and France. This hotel was really beautiful, rather decadent with everything being gilded in gold. Including the arch on the balcony. Pure gilded gold. The outdoor cafe here was all tourist primarily from Europe, Saudi Arabia and a few Americans. It was a nice day in the 80's. We were treated like royalty with not to heavy of a cost. Yet more costly then most places due to being touristy.

Zamalack, Cairo, Egypt. View from Rahwas' apartment

Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo. Always wanted to go there and was slightly disappointed in the size. And one can only look at so many sarcophaguses. But most certainly some amazing findings. Archaeologist dream.
Best resteraunt in Cairo is a little Lebanese resteraunt a few blocks from the Museum, you can sample just about everything for under $20, including a shisha. Which is the first time I tried it.

Dusk in the Arabian Desert. Coming home from Ein El Sukna, Red Sea to Cairo, Egypt.
Next Egyptian trip I have to go to Alexsandria, Sinani, Vally of the Kings and Queens, Aswan, Luxor and another excursion to the Red Sea. I also really would like to do a 3 or 4 day Bedouin tour through the desert. Apparently its very fun and you go to all these cool geograhically area's from straight desert sand to rock formations carved by the wind.
Road Sign showing back to Cairo. Funny thing is I bought a book to translate from Arabic to English yet when your staring at a sign and try to convert, well it just didnt seem to work to well for me.
Toll station. More for military / transport concerns. We never stopped nor paid anything.
Cafe

Cafe in the heart of a bizarre is known to have been patroned by two literary Noble Prize winners.


Shisha waiting for a puff at the Red Sea
Outdoor Reggae Concert on the Nile. In Zamalack. Hanging out with Rahwa and her friends from the American University in Cairo. Reggae is extremely popular in Cairo as is Techno music. The reggae concerts group was from the Sudan (country at that time and still is at war for a corupt government and mass genocide) Many refugees from Sudan were coming into Egypt. That night I met a friend of Rahwa's that was taking refugee from Sudan, he was an activist and known in Sudan for writing polical books on what was happening in Sudan. He was also about to head for the U.S. as a law student at Penn. State. or some other well known law school on the East Coast. I can not remember the name of this man unfortunately, but he was well mannered, humble and soft speaking. And obviously very intelligent with a large compassion for his native country. Red Sea facing Saudi Arabia. South of the Suez Canal. Ein El Sukna.

Story of going to Ein El Sukna. So this travel was by a local bus. I was officially the only white girl on this bus. Rahwa the only dark skinned Erireatrian / American and I believe we were two of only 3 women on this crowded bus. Prior to getting on the bus Rahwa asked the driver if this bus was going to Ein El Sukna as for confirmation. The bus driver said yes. Well about 4 hours into the trip Rahwa managed to doze off. I was watching the scenary. Imagine as extremely packed bus of mostly Egyptian men heading through the desert for the Red Sea. It was so crowded we were practically sitting on another. It kind of reminded me of the bus ride in the movie "Romancing the Stone" minus the foliage and me having endless sand to view. Well I recalled Rahwa mentioning two locations. And at first I thought she had said Ein El Sukna but then she mentioned another location that was further south starting with an H. Which is roughly another 3 hours ride from Ein El Sukna. We passed the location we apparently were heading Rahwa wakes up and I ask where extactly are we going. Well we passed it by oh an hour. I don't speak Arabic, she's asleep. I'm assuming the bus is going from point A to B, Rahwa heads to the front to ask where we are. The bus driver gets pissed off and says were on the wrong bus and passed Ein El Sukna over an hour ago, why didnt she say something then. Mind you there's nothing out there minus the Red Sea and the Desert with a few hotels spotted every 15 to 20 miles apart. So the man tells her to wait and when he see's another bus passing by he'll signal them down and have us catch it back. About 15 minutes later another bus is about to pass. We get off in the middle of no where and the bus drivers argue about us getting on. So were looking highly touristy and rather ignorant. The bus driver lets us on and we head north about an hour when the driver drops us off at some random hotel that looked rather deserted. It was off season apparently. Some guest but not many. The hotel allowed us a day pass for so much amount of money that allowed us access to the beach, pool and lunch. We kicked it on the beach and had ate lunch (which was so-so). About 5:00p.m. we rented a car for about $50 US dollars that would take us back to Cairo (3 1/2 hours back). The day was enjoyable. And I have to say being lost in Egypt with Rahwa and being lost in France with Katie was significantly different. Rahwa and I went with the flow while Katie in France had a sever panic attack. Mind you Katie took five years of French, I 3 years. And Rahwa 2 years of Arabic and I none. Funny how people handle stresses. Being lost in the desert so to speak (our version being the least of what could have been) was far more entertaining. The ride back was fun, we laughed the whole way talking about the adventour and planning the next few days. The driver of the car liked my laugh and told Rahwa that I had "a light heart" meaning I was full of life and a good nature. If one is called a dark heart you are unlikable and more like an ass. lol. That was the nicest comment anyone has ever said to me, in addition to being rather poetic. In Arabic they way things are said has such a beautiful flow, very poetic. Its not harsh like English.
Having a taste of the culture. Shisha apple flavored tabacco. Kicking it at the Red Sea. Seemed a blast at the time. But let me tell you they have some killer bugs that made me itch for days in later.
Arabian Desert. Coming home late from the Red Sea into Cairo. Approximately a 3 hour drive, possibly longer. Seemed to go fast but I was laughing the whole time.

Khanelkhaili Local and Tourist Bazaar in downtown Cairo. Was quiet during this time. Two weeks prior was a bombing at the enterance of the Bazaar. Destroyed several buildings. Initial building where the explosion took place was non existant other than a massive pile of cement crumblings.
I bought a shisha (red) (blue for Henry and Lloyd, roommates in Fremont) (2 for $25 US) and a few scarves (2 for $6 US, both made with silk) I really wanted a musical instrument (guitar that was similar to a mandolin but larger, but it cost too much, it was close to $100 US and I still had the rest of the week in Cairo plus two days in London before heading home.
Lori and her new friend at Giza to see the Great Pyramids. Was about 9:00am in the morning and the temperature was in the late 80's. Let me tell you, you cant go to the pyramids without taking a tour into the desert for this shot. The pyramids are massive but worth the ride. Also camels are scary creatures. In addition not the easiest things to ride without having the fear of falling off.

Ok story time. The night Rahwa and I came back from Ein El Sukna we headed to a hotel for a quick bite to eat. This was roughly 10:00 p.m. at night. Cairo is very alive 24 hours a day. We'll sitting there in the hotel (name I can not recall but it's on Zamalack (small island set in the middle of the Nile river). Rahwa was facing the hotel lobby I was facing the window looking out towards the Nile. Were about to order when I hear this sound similar to a shot gun. Moments later I see military running to the left of the hotel. First off if you have never been to Cairo, its actually considered one of the safest places to visit which is notable by the large military and police present. Every corner of this city has mounds of patrol present 24 hours (because its primary industry is based on tourism) but back to the story. Shortly after the police in white passed by workers from the hotel went outside to see what was going on. There was an obvious stress on their faces. Funny thing is right in front of the window was local or visiting Arabian men in tunics smoking their shisha's and having some coffee. They never moved but just turned their heads towards the commotion. When the men from the hotel came back in to wait on us we asked what happened. He said nothing and not to worry. Then proceeded to take our order (which ended up being wrong due to his lack of attention caused by the rucus outside that he denied for our sake) Eventually the manager of the small cafe came out and Rahwa knew him (Rahwa was a loyal customer of this cafe) he came over to say hi to us. Rahwa asked him in Arabic what was going on. At first he was hestitate, but she told him that we were not worried but I (me, Lori) had heard a shot or something like that and we saw military and police running in heards towards the street corner. He finally confessed. He told us that the hotel had some Turkish men staying at the hotel were being a bit difficult. The two Turkish men had gotten into an argument with another. Then the Manager states "you know those Turkish men are crazy they're throwing grenades at each other" Ok funny thing is when Rahwa told him I heard a shot from something like a gun the Manager seemed concerned but when he told us it was grenades he said is so casually, as if it was nothing. Other note to mention that in most locations in Cairo one has to enter through a metal detector. We entered and the alarm went off, which I forgot to take out my cell phone. But the guards never checked me. I suppose I looked innocent. But my other thought was how the hell did the Turkish men make it through the metal detector with grenades. And who the hell takes grenades on vacation with them to throw at their buddies when the get a wee bit pissed off. I suppose the crazy Turks. lol.

I do have to say that despite people being somewhat alarmed that I was going to a Muslim country, the Egyptians have had to been the most accomadating and gracious host of any country I have thus far visited. Not to mention they like fat american women. lol. I cant even recollect how many Egyptian men offered to my parents herds of camels for dowry. lmao. Mom , Dad ummm this is my new hubby and here are your camels. lol.

Hotel stayed in was the Flamingo or was it the Flamenko. I have information on the hotel somewhere. I just recall the hotel name didnt fit with Cairo. Also stayed a few nights with Rahwa and her roommate whom originated from Colombia, South America.

Thank You Rahwa for the generous hospitality. I had a ton of fun, the best part of my month long trip. And thanks for being apart of my dream destination.

Egypt back in May 2005. Photos of Cairo and the Red Sea.