First Time in Egypt - or in Africa, for that Matter!

My travels have taken me to most parts of Europe and lots of places in North America.  However, I have never been to Africa, the Middle East, or Asia.  This cruise would change some of that with its stops in Egypt and Israel.

Our first port of call was Alexandria and probably the most popular shore excursion was going to be anything going south to Cairo to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. There were a number of different choices, including an overnight trip more extensive visit to Cairo. I chose a day trip to Cairo that included a shorter museum visit, a lunch cruise on the Nile with folkloric entertainment and a visit to the star attractions, the pyramids and the Sphinx. The challenge was that it was a 13 hour excursion starting at 6:30!

So, we started first by driving through Alexandria. My initial impression was quite negative - keeping in mind that I usually travel in “western cultures” so that is my frame of reference. However, some of the buildings were in worse shape than ones I’d seen in Bosnian villages bombed by the Serbs. Then, add to that, the chaotic traffic, garbage strewn everywhere, and the feral dogs and cats wandering around, and it was a bit of a shock.

As we headed south to Cairo on a toll road referred to as “the desert highway”, the landscape changed to being a desert and I noticed several things.  First off, the toll plazas at both ends of this highway were seriously guarded by military, police and, by what looked like, other armed government officials.  On the way to Cairo, we passed "oases" that were like "rest stops" you would see on freeways and motorways in North America and Europe.  There were gas stations, restaurants and cafes and other stores.  Again, lots of rubbish and dogs and cats - and few women, mostly men standing or wandering around.

As we drove along, there were many large gates along the highway with long, straight, mainly dirt roads on the other side of them. I asked the tour guide and was told they all led to compounds. 

Most of the homes and buildings we saw had large conical structures that looking something like giant beehives.  Apparently, they are homes for pigeons - both in the city and in the countryside - which, I guess are a food source.  I missed getting a photo of one in the countryside (thinking I would get one on the return bus trip and forgetting it would be totally dark by then) but managed to get a photo of several urban ones.

When we arrived in Cairo, again I was surprised by the juxtaposition of a modern culture beside a much older way of life.  For example, when we were in the middle of the city, I looked down an alley and saw a herd of goats.  Then, on the major road we were on with fast moving cars and other traffic, there were little carts being pulled by donkeys.  Also, there were pedestrians everywhere dodging in and out of the traffic.  I have no idea what the accident rate is here but it can't be low!  It appeared that any traffic rules, if indeed they exist, are treated a very rough guidelines.  I couldn't believe how many close calls I observed but there were no accidents - at least that I witnessed although I did some cars pulled over to the side of the road with damages.

When we got to Cairo, our first visit was to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and that was followed by a lunch cruise on the Nile with a folkloric display.  Then, it was off to the main purpose for the excursion, the Giza Plateau where the only remaining Wonders of the Ancient World remain:  the Pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx.  More about that in the next blog.