Cairo, Egypt - July 26

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Mohammad Ali mosque

35+ degrees – HUMID, HUMID, HUMID

WOW was it hot today.  Luckily the AC on the bus was excellent, so as soon as we were back on the bus between sites we were able to cool down.

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citidel

Cairo is about 200K from Port Said which is where cruise ships dock for passengers wanting to visit Cairo.  That means a 3 hr plus drive each way – not pleasant, but that’s what it takes.  Sounds like it should take 2 hours, but I realize that that is Canada time – NOT Egypt.  Egypt requires that tourists travel in a convoy with security.  We experienced this last year, so it isn’t alarming.  This level of security started in 1982 after a terrorist attack.  Apparently today there is ‘absolutely no security concerns’ (as described by the guide) today, but the department of the police responsible for security is firmly established – so they don’t bother dissolving it.  I wonder if it makes people more or less anxious knowing they have a security escort and what that ultimately does for security.  What it does cause in my is a bit of annoyance…why do I have to wait for over an hour for a 25 bus convoy in order to start to my destination???

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Egyptian craziness

As we were in Cairo last year and saw the Pyramids the Sphinx and the Cairo Museum we choose an excursion that hit other spots in Cairo.  Of the 800 people heading to Cairo from our boat this morning the VAST majority are seeing the Pyramids (of course), but that means that our tour is small.  That’s nice, especially when we are on a bus for so only.

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Coptic church

First we visit the Citadel inside which is a Mohammad Ali mosque from the 19 century.  Inside our guide has the 16 of us sit on the floor and spends some time explaining parts of Islam.  This isn’t our first mosque, so we expect to have to take our shoes off and for me to have to cover.  Although I brought something to cover with my t-shirt and pants were enough – I didn’t have to cover my head.  One man in our group was particularly incensed about having to remove his shoes.

mosque inner courtyard

The next mosque we visit, the Sultan Hassan Mosque is stricter and I have to cover my arms which is a good thing I brought something with me to use.  Each of these mosques has a sort of robe available for women to wear, but it is not necessary.  An attendant here wanted the women to also cover our heads, but the guide told him to forget it – I think.  Again we learn more about Islam and meet the Imam who demonstrated the call to prayer.  Not that we needed a demo…you can’t miss hearing it, but it was amazing to see it, rather than just hear it.  That was probably the highlight of the day for me – I wish I had a photo of it, but I hate taking shots of people without asking first and I didn’t have a chance.

Next is a visit to a 7^th century church followed by a visit to a synagogue.  The church is still active, but the synagogue isn’t.  Apparently there are only 60 Jewish left in Egypt!  I find that stat crazy…not because I think there should be more or less Jewish, but because they have the relatively exact numbers.  This synagogue was actually refurbished due to a fund established by a Canadian woman. 

Dips and kabobs – music to my famished ears is the menu for lunch.  I think if it wasn’t for the heat, the mind-blowing heat, I could be of Middle Eastern descent – I could eat this kind of food ALL DAY LONG!!  I still think I must have only recently learned to hate the heat as I have a hard time without a siesta.  Surprisingly, it is very familiar to what we can find at home – I always think our food is ‘Canadianized’. 

After lunch is a quick stop at a souk for a bit of shopping, but it is a pretty disappointing place.  Of course there is the requisite fridge magnet and bookmark brigade, but it’s all pretty junky.  I really don’t have my eye on anything, so I’m not too disappointed.  Good thing too…1.5 hours was originally scheduled for this, but as it turned out we only had 30 minutes.

A portion of the ride is along the Suez Canal.  I remember from last year that at points it is possible to approach a ship and drive alongside it for a while (as though they are driving down the road), but not today.

Finally we are back on board by about 8:15.  A long DAY!