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Mohammad Ali mosque |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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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 7th
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!
1 comment:
Wow 6 hours ona bus for a day tour.... Don't think I could handle that..... Surprised at the ignorance of the complaining shoe guy.... Would think someone doing that type of tour would have a clue.....
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