A Request

Can everyone who stops by leave a quick message to say they were here, that way I know who's been and who has not.

Thanks.

Egypt

Let me start by saying that we were not on a tour, we were in Egypt to visit a friend (well, Julie was, I was there to see the sights). Our travels were mostly in and around Cairo, anywhere you could go by taxi or walking. Therefore, we did not make it to Luxor, Thebes, or the Island of Philae (next time I guess). But, because we were not on a tour, we got to live the LIFE for two weeks. we stayed in a 'flat', ate the food, etc.

All of this is taken from my hand written diary that I kept along the way. All are my exact feelings at the time we were there, not now.

This is my tale of Egypt.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate my Egypt blog to the good friends we made while there:

Yasser, our friend, "tour guide", "cultural advisor", I will miss our sound effect conversations. Thank you for showing us as much of Egypt as you could.

Rashwan, our chauffer, "Joke Box", they may have been lost in translation, but your laughter said it all.

And last, but most certainly not least, Mohab, my dear, sweet MooHoo. My bodyguard, pyramid builder, King. I will miss your funny faces and that whole hearted laugh. Thank you for being there for me. You have shown me something I didn't know existed.

I will miss you all and hold fond memories for the rest of my days.

Live, laugh, love.

Love "Her Royal Highness, Queen Jude the First"

Sunday, April 2 and Monday, April 3, 2006

The Longest Day.

Mike drove us to the airport for 3:00. We checked in, went through customs, then sat and waited for about two hours.

We boarded the plane at 6:10 p.m. and took off at 7:10. Take off was not so bad. Our path took up up the St. Laurence and over Quebec and Newfoundland. We were no sooner in the air then dinner was served. We ate our meal and watched "Chronicals of Narnia". After the movie we tried to sleep, no good, we each got maybe a half hour. By this time it was time to wake up anyway and a small breakfast type of snack was served. Then the plane started to descend in Paris. I must say, I was worried about take off, but descent is much, much worse, especially after just eating. We landed in Paris at just after 8:00 in the morning their time. We got off the plane and onto a sardine packed bus which took us to the terminal for the transfer desk. We went from there to another bus, and yet another bus which took us to the gate and customs. Customs was much more difficult than in Canada, Julie got "felt up" and I had my fanny pack checked. Then we were off to the gate. After a short wait we were on the plane. We were half an hour late in taking off because another plane was late. Take off this time was not good, it was very bumpy and turbulent, we dropped a bit as we were taking off which was freaky. As with before, once we were n the air we were given our meal and then finally dozed off for a bit. We landed in Cairo at 3:15 p.m. (9:15 a.m. to us) got our Visa which was a lot easier than I thought, and our bags, and left the airport. We met up with Yasser and his friend, Rashwan, outside and started the drive "home" which is in the district of Zamalek (an island in the Nile). Driving in Egypt is scary! Cario reminds me of New York City, lots of cars, lots of people, and tonnes of horns honking.

We saw quite a few sights on the way back (no pyramids yet, however).

We made it to the "flat" at around 5:oo and settled in. We called home and showered and finally fell asleep at about 7:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. at home - that's 30 hours awake on 3 hours sleep). It's noisy outside (the city that never sleeps) and quite chilly in the evening, and our beds and pillows are pretty hard. I managed to fall asleep only out of shear exhaustion.

Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Woke up at 7:30 a.m. after 12 hours sleep and got ready and wrote and read. I was a little surprised to see sparrows on the balcony and a crow that is grey with black wings and head.

Yasser came over in the late morning with some food, Taamiyya and Guul on a type of pita bread. The Taamiyya is like the outside of fried chicken and was yummy, the Fuul was like re-fried beans, kind of dull.

We then took a walk to the Nile and grabbed a cab from there to the Opera House for the film festival. We saw "Joyeux Noel" a French film about a Christmas Eve during WW1. It was actually rather comical.

After the movie we walked around Cairo and went to dinner at a restaurant. We had Koshari and Coke. Koshari is also yummy, a mixture of pasta, rice, chick peas, toasted onions, herbs, with a tomato sauce. Traditional Egyptian food.

After dinner we continued to walk around Cairo. It is busy, but reminds me of places back home (T.O., Niagara, NYC) same types of buildings, shops, street vendors, cars, and people. We stopped at a coffee shop (Le Americana) and had Turkish Coffee which is a lot like espresso. After that we cabbed it home and had beer (Stella) and watched T.V., talked, read, made plans, etc.

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Giza!!!!!

A quote: "You have come to the most fabulous and celebrated place in the world. Here on the Plateau of Giza stands forever the mightiest of human achievements. No traveler, emperor, merchant, or poet has trodden on these sands and not gasped in awe"

Today we went to Giza. Yasser's friend Mohab (my "bodyguard") came with us. We again took a cab to Giza, which was a fairly long trip. The first glimps of Khafre (Chephren) was over buildings, that's when the emotions started. I got giddy. We had finally arrived!

We went into some of the engineer tombs and then headed toward our horses and camels. I got up on a camel (yikes!) which is pretty rough. Those things are really, really tall. The camel leader led me up a path a bit and we waited for the others. I had no idea what was going on, only that I was on a camel, at Giza, and I couldn't see any of my friends. Camels are rough to ride and I couldn't figure out how to get comfortable, when I found out that we were going to be riding to the other side of the pyramids, which is about 11 km one way I changed my mind and decided I would rather ride a horse. The man in charge would not let me down, finally Mohab had to basically yell at him to let me down (see that's what bodyguards are for). I got off of "Sayid" and onto a horse named "Rahim". The four of us rode around to the other side of Menkaure (Mycerinus) and took some pictures and rode back again. The ride was fun, it had been 10 years since I was on a horse and here I was on a horse, in the desert, at the place I most wanted to be in the world!

We went into another tomb, where there is still paint on the walls and then walked over to Khafre. We stayed around it for a bit and took some pictures and stayed out a sand storm. We walked to the other side and saw Saqqara in the distance. Then headed down the causeway to the King's Tomb and the Sphinx, we didn't go close to the Sphinx because of the cost (a lot of money already spent today), but managed to get pictures from above.

We went back to the Great Pyramid. There is a fence around it so you can't get close. There is only one area to get close so I headed there. I touched it, felt it, soaked it in, 5000 year old stone, how many hands have touched that same spot, generations, worlds, the stories it could tell. It felt like plastic, it was amazing.

We didn't go into The Great Pyramid because (again) of the cost of the ticket, it's a lot to pay for torture... LOL it's tight and clausterphobic in there.

After that we went for dinner and this time had Egyptian Pizza which is very good (had a crust on top). We then took another scary cab ride back home to shower off the sand. Apparently to get sand on you from Giza is good luck. We were full of it thanks to the sandstorm. We ended up falling asleep early and slept through the night.

Thursday, April 6, 2006

A slow day because Yasser had to go to work for a bit. Julie and I hung out at the apartment and ventured out for a short walk.

When we got back we got changed and went to a restaurant called Five Bells which is actually just around the corner from us. It was really nice, with a live band. We had some beer and "Egyptian Barbeque" (Lamb ribs and fries) and had a lot of laughs. Mohab and Sharif, another friend, joined us. The guys walked us home and we ended up going to bed at around 3:00.

I was told that according to Egyptian men, I have the perfect body.... who'd have thought.

Friday, April 7, 2006

I woke up to the sound of "Jude, we have no water." A water pipe broke down the street causing us to have no water. *sigh* So, we washed with baby wipes and cleaned up the best we could.

Yasser and Mohab came over and we went to The Egyptian Museum where I got my nickname "Her Royal Highness Queen Jude The First" There are many artifacts from digs there. We saw Tut's tomb and all the findings that were found within it including the burial mask and sarcophagus. Amazing!

We got hit on by a guard, the freak wouldn't leave us alone (the guys had gone out for a smoke). We had to leave the area we were supposed to meet the guys because the guard just wouldn't leave us alone. When they returned we were telling them about what happened and I guess got a little loud where a tour guide started shouting at us. The guys told him off and so he went and got the police, after some hassel with that (I thought we were going to get kicked out) all was settled and fine.

From there we went for 'lunch' more like dinner seeing that it was around 5:00 and had Koshari again (That stuff is sooooo good, I need to get a recipe). Mohab had to leave for a bit for work so the three of us went back to the apartment and showered.... finally. He returned and we went to the Cairo Tower to see Cairo from above. Walking in the guys had to show their I.D. (as they did at the museum) after a lengthy discussion we found out that there is a card called a friendship card that apparently you are supposed to get if touring friends around in Egypt. We didn't know this, and the embassy didn't tell us when we called them. The views were amazing, you could see as far as Giza from there.

We walked back home and Rashwan (who had picked us up from the airport) came over and the five of us had a few drinks and many, many laughs. We made up movied titles to go with the events of the night. They are as follows:

1) The Cork Between Us

2) A Queen Never Smiles

3) The Second Jude

4) Julie's Smile

5) Laugh Like an Egyptian

6) From the Heart

7) Scary Eyes (Your Eyes)

8) Red Girl With White Socks

9) A Queen With White Socks

10) White Socks, Brown Dog

11) Cluck, Cluck, Cluck

12) Blue Eyes, Blue Tongue

13) Wine Effect

14) Don't Piss off a Canadian Woman

(Each one tells a tale. Any questions, I will answer)

We ended up going to bed at 4:00

Saturday, April 8, 2006

The sound of prayer call is becoming a norm, I like it, I will miss it.
We woke up at noon making movie title 15) Sleep Like an Egyptian.
Apparently there is a heat wave here. Yup! So, we have decided that we will have to do our activities in the evenings, party at night, and sleep all day. Our transfer back to home time will be simple.
It was a lazy day, we did laundry and then took an afternoon 'nap'. I slept from 5-9. Yasser came over at about 7:00, but I stayed in bed to let them have some freedom. Mohab came by around 9:00 with dinner. It was something similar to subs and fries. Again Rashwan came over and we stayed up until 4:00 again. I didn't drink tonight, the wine effect from last night was still there.
Before the party got started I got some not so shocking information... Mohab told me his feelings for me. It's not like I couldn't tell, the little touches, the smiles, the looks, things that were said. I explained to him that I have a boyfriend and a life back home that I can't give up for a two week fling. I think he understood.
At around 3:00 we went out for coffee. It is traditional, according to Mohab, to sit out in the early mornings and drink coffee. So, here we are at 3:00 in the morning sitting on plastic chairs with a tiny little metal table in the middle of us all, sipping Turkish Coffee. Rashwan ordered Sheesha which comes in a water pipe that looks like a huge bong.
More movie titles were made for tonight:
1) Smelly Socks in the Wind
2) Half Tape
3) Sockless in Cairo
4) Tea Effects or Only Tea
5) The Queen was Retired
6) The Smell of Thinking
7) Don't Touch, Tickle!
8) A Place to Tickle
9) The Queen's Day Off
10) Soap in the Eyes
11) Smooth Music
12) Cats Only
13) Joke Box
14) Lost in "Joke" Translation
15) Swimming to Greece
16) Swimming Lessons
17) Wash Your Ass!
18) Still Awake in Indonesia
Ah, each one tells a tale. Any questions, I will answer.

Sunday, April 9, 2006

Woke up at 1:00 p.m. (I didn't fall asleep until around 5:30 -- thinking too much). School is in so we are confused as to the day of the week as the weekend falls on Friday/Saturday here.

A little lizard (I swear it was!) ran across the kitchen floor.

In the evening we went to Khan el Kalili and did some souvenir shopping. Then went to a bookstore and Mohab met up with us and we all went to Maison Thomas for dinner. They make the best pizza in Zamalek according to the guide book, and yeah, it was pretty awesome, pizza will never be the same again after the two I've had here. Canada could learn a lesson or two about food from Egypt.

We came back to the apartment and relaxed for a bit. Mohab brought a CD player over for us so that we could have music, so really the only movie title for tonight was "Relaxing Night, the Musical" and "Rashwanless Night". Mohab left at around midnight and going out the door tried to kiss me, I got a little pissed at him, which got Yasser pissed at him and they both left. Shit!

Monday, April 10, 2006

We went to the mall in Cairo, which is pretty far from our apartment. Driving is not as scary anymore, I guess we are getting used to it. The mall is HUGE!!!! About seven stories up. It is not too different from malls in Canada, other than the size and the fact that smoking is allowed, yup people are walking around with cigarettes lit in stores and in the hall. We had Lebanese food for dinner at the food court and went to a move and saw Syriana (we wanted to see Crash, but it wasn't showing). Mohab met up with us for the movie, of course.
Now, the theatre experience, that's where you feel the difference. First off, seats are assigned and you buy your tickets, and pay prices, according to the row you're in, the further back you are, the more the cost. An usher takes your ticket at the door and shows you to your seat. There is an intermission, no matter how long the movie, and cell phones are going off like crazy. The movies are in English and subtitled in Arabic.
After the movie we headed home and to bed because we have a fairly busy day tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Today we headed for the Citadel. It was a bit of a drive, to the other side of the city (Near the mall actually). At the gates Yasser again got carded and had to have a long chat with the officer. We got questioned as to how we know him and whether he is actually a friend or a tour guide. Finally, they let us in.

From the height of the Citadel there is a great view of the city. We went into the Mosque of Mohammed Ali (the real one, not the boxer), the police museum, the military museum, and the Mosque of Nasr Mohammed. Julie and I had to wear capes/gowns to go into the Mosque because we were showing bare skin, and we all had to take our shoes off.

After the Citadel we went to Azhar Park and spent a few hours there. Mohab came by for an hour or so to say "hi". We went for a walk away from the others to let them have some time alone and to have a bit of a chat about us trying to explain how things just couldn't happen between us.

It was a very outdoorsy day. We came home and ordered in and sat and relaxed, crashing early. Mohab called and asked if I wanted to go for a walk, but it was already 11:30, so I said no, but agreed to go for breakfast with him the next day. LOL he just doesn't know the meaning of the word 'no', it would be a lot easier to brush him off if he wasn't so sweet and if I didn't like him too.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Woke up early and went out for breakfast with Mohab. We went to a cozy little coffee shop and sat and talked for a few hours. I can't remember ever feeling such a connection to someone as different from myself. *sigh* I am feeling guilty about this "emotional affair" I am having. I have lost some faith in myself, how could I let this happen, nothing but hurt can come from it, for the three of us involved. It's like the love trianles in soap operas, except one man is 9000 km away from the woman. I feel terrible emotionally. I know that when I get home I will have to tell Mike everything, of course, how could I not?

In the afternoon Julie and I walked over to the Nile and watched the water for a bit.

In the evening we went to Yasser's family's for dinner. I had thought that we were having fun, but when we got home we got into a discussion, and I felt like I was verbally attacked by him. Why must he know everything that is going on with me and Mohab? We are adults, we can take care of ourselves. Other things were said that hurt me really bad as well. I cried myself to sleep, too much crap is happening, I want to go home!

Mohab called after I went to bed, I talked to him, cheered up a little. Then he wanted to speak to Yasser, the two of them shouted at each other for about 20 minutes. Fuck! This is all bullshit!!!

Thursday April 13, 2006

The homesickness is setting in. I didn't really feel like getting up this morning. I was up a few hours before the others and did some laundry and organized my stuff to make packing easier. Only a few more days.

We ordered KFC for dinner, even that is different. The fries are thinner, and tasty, the chicken has a different type of coating and the salad is like the Mary Brown's coleslaw. It was good.

Later we went to a photo exhibit for one of Yasser's friends so we didn't bring our cameras, figuring there would be no opportunities for photos. I truly regret that decision.

Outside I saw the most beautiful scene ever (of course, the one time I don't have a camera available). The full moon was shining through the arches of the balcony, reflecting off the Nile, palm trees on the shore. Like a true scene from the past.

At the exhibit we met up with Rashwan and the four of us went and had some beer at a restaurant. Just the four of us went, Yasser didn't want to see or talk to Mohab, I guess the argument the night before was pretty bad.

At around 1 a.m. we went on a Nile tour in a little motor boat. The intensity of that river cannot be truly imagined until you are on it. I put my arm over the edge of the boat and dragged my hand through the water. Touched the Great Pyramid, and the Nile. I really truly kicked myself for not having my camera with me, but we didn't know we were going. We got home and to bed at around 2 a.m. I had to get up early as I made plans with Mohab to go to Saqqara in the morning.

Friday April 14, 2006

Saqqara day.

I called and woke Mohab up at 9:00 as requested. He was at the door by 10:30. We hung out for a bit, had coffee, and breakfast, and then headed out.

When we got there the police stopped us at the gate, asking where I was from. Then asked for his I.D. and we went through the usual questioning. He got taken out of the taxi and into the office for even more questioning. They are brutal about this touring thing. He came back to the cab, all was well, and off we went to the ticket booth, Saqqara is more spread out than Giza. We got back in the cab to go back up and it wouldn't start, it was out of gas. There was a man there waiting for family from Germany, he offered to drive us up, turns out he is from Toronto. He gave Mohab his number so that we could call him when finished and he would drive us back down.

We spent a lovely day strolling around the ruins, chatting and laughing. He is like me, he likes to do and see things. It was his first time at Saqqara too, so it was something for us both. You can see Giza from there, which is sooo cool. We didn't get a chance to see everything, they closed early, forgot.... Friday.

When we called our 'friend' for the ride back down he was gone, he apologized because his family couldn't make it so he left early. We bummed a ride down to the road and took a taxi back to Cairo. We passed Giza, I gave a last look and said my farewell to the thing that I came to see.

We went out for dinner on the way back home. After dinner we walked home, he bought me a rose on the way. He dropped me off and he went to his place to shower. Ditto for me - hot day in the desert. We had no hot water, so instead of a cool shower, it was an ice cold one.

Mo came back at around 10:00 for our farewell party. Rashwan showed up a bit later. I gave him a pair of my white socks to remember me by (was an ongoing joke from the first party). We didn't do much, had a few beers, chatted. Not many movie titles this night, we were all pretty tired. Rashwan left rather early, and as soon as he left Yasser told Mohab that he had to leave too. He didn't want to, but I said that he might as well, I was really tired. When he was leaving, I did the one thing I tried to hold back on for so long, I kissed him. It was really quite something, because we had held it back for so long. He left, and I went to bed.

Saturday April 15, 2006

Woke up at 4:00 a.m. feeling horrible. I grabbed for my med bag and took two Gravol and headed for the bathroom. Just made it onto the toilet. Geesh, it was like pissing through my asshole (pardon the graphics of that). I heaved a few times and was ready to use the bathtub for that purpose if necessary, but managed to keep it down. I stayed until the nausea settled and then went back to bed. Laid down and was back up within five minutes and in the washroom again. I finally made it to sleep at 5 a.m.

I woke up around 12:30 and was just getting up when the phone rang, it was Mo. He wanted to come get me in an hour, but I told him to wait until around 3 because I wasn't feeling well. He said that he was sick in the morning too, but was fine by then, so it must have been the food. He told me which gifts were for me, and what was for Julie, (he had brought them the night before and forgot to give them to us) so we opened them, he gave us each a Papyrus painting, and me a mother of pearl trinket box. I had my shower and did some packing and he called at 3 (after I'd hit the bathroom two more times), he was downstairs waiting to pick me up.

We went and did some shopping, we went to a papyrus shop and I found another piece that I liked and wanted to get. When I went to pay for it he insisted and had another piece that he wanted to get me too. We went to Pizza Hut for dinner, I didn't want anything but he made me eat some potatoe wedges, I tried my best but couldn't get much down and was no sooner back in the washroom. We walked somemore and then went to a coffee shop, I figured mint tea might help. We sat there for a couple of hours (bathroom again) and headed home at around 8 so I could finish packing. We came in and sat in my room, and chatted as I packed. Julie called me into the other room and stated that Yasser wasn't impressed, he didn't want Mo there, I said that it was our last hour here and I want to spend it with him. She said Yasser was pissed off and that we know that Mo is not supposed to be there (I don't get the reasoning, honestly, something to do with the neighbours talking... two couples, doesn't look good, but it was okay for Julie and Yasser to be there alone, or for him to sleep over. I paid half the apartment, figured I should have the right to invite a friend over). She said she figured that they weren't friends anymore, I knew that, but, according to Mohab, it had been brewing for a while. So, I'd had enough of this and got pissed, finished packing and took my stuff to the door. I told Julie that I would meet her at the airport. We went for another walk and I vented, big time. We walked by the Nile, then hailed a taxi. It took us home, we went up and grabbed my stuff, and took it down to the cab. We drove to the airport, I wasn't allowed to cry. We were at the airport too early, so sat and had a drink (more mint tea). So, he took me to check in, Julie, Yasser, and Rashwan were there already. We went and said "hi", I said goodbye to Rashwan and Yasser wouldn't even look at us, oh well. So, we said our goodbyes and I went through security. He stayed behind the glass watching until I was out of sight. Julie and I did some shopping in a gift shop and sat and had a croissant and a Sprite (first actual food of the day). Then, went to the gate and waited for the plane.

We have differing stories from the two guys, so, obviously we will believe the one we were with, so, we won't talk about it so as not to end up on the outs ourselves.

Sunday April 16, 2006

We boarded the plane just after midnight. We had to take a bus from the terminal to the jet. Take off was an hour late, there was a problem with the lighting and a weird smell in the cabin. I didn't feel well, physically and mentally. I didn't have a good feeling about this plane. We finally took off at 2 am, the take off was the smoothest we had and seeing Cairo at night was amazing. Once we leveled off we slept. I slept nearly the entire way to Paris, only waking when they turned on the lights to serve breakfast. I couldn't eat, barely, my stomach was still very upset.

We landed in Paris at 6:15 am in the rain, and headed to the transfer desk. Again we had trouble with going through security, or at least I did. My carry-on got searched, but all was fine. We made it to the gate and settled in for the six hour wait. I can't believe that I slept sitting up for about four hours. We got up and walked around a bit for an hour before boarding the plane. We boarded at 12:20 pm, again by bus. Take off from Paris was late by about half an hour, once in the air they served us lunch, again, can't eat. I reclined and slept for the entire trip back. They woke us up about an hour before we got to Toronto and served a snack, nope... not hungry. Landing in Toronto was a little rough, wobbly, but it was sunny here. We landed at 3:30 pm (9:30 pm to us). The lady beside me gave out a big sigh and it was then that we found out that she was in the plane that crashed here back in the summer so obviously she was very tense during landing.

We got through customs, very happily because Julie had baked goods that Yasser's father gave her, and some flowers from Yasser, and I had the rose that Mohab had given me. It took forever to get our luggage. Once we did we found Julie's brother and headed home. We stopped by my place and dropped off my stuff and picked up her purse and Jeep keys and headed to my mom's. Julie dropped me off there. I had mom let Willow out, she barked at me, like she didn't know who I was, then realized and went nuts. Gawd, she looks so stressed, not the same dog. I stayed for a bit and told her about my trip, had some rice, but once I had to hit the bathroom again I headed home. Willow was extremely happy to get home, she crashed immediately. I, however, did not. I had to face the music with Mike. Of course, things did not go well and I was up until 2 am talking to him. I'm torn, confused, and just want to be alone right now... I never thought myself possible of doing something like that, I feel terrible and am at the point where I am close to regretting even taking the trip.

Feels sooo good to be home.

Arabic That We Learned

These are spelled phonetically.

Baksheesh - tip
La'a - no
Iowa - yes
Shemel - left
Yemine - right
Fokre - up
Daarht - down
Allo - hello
Salaam - goodbye/peace
Shokran - thank you
Bortu - nothing
Harem - pyramids

*****************

Arabic I've Learned:

Bahebek - I love you
habibi - my love
hayati - my life
malekati - my queen
amiri - my prince
amirati - my princess
bousa - kiss
aktar - more

A Survival Guide to Egypt

Don't believe everything the travel guides tell you, being there is truly different from what I read about it. If anyone is ever going, I will be more than happy to tell you as much info as you want.

IN GENERAL

~ Whatever it is, you will get used to it. Arabic music, prayer call, horns honking, all of it.

~ Despite what you may hear, you do not need to keep your head covered, wear long pants or skirts, or long sleeves. Just don't show too much skin. Sleeveless tops and shorts or a mini skirt would be a no no. Dress conservatively, but comfortably. In Mosques you do need to be covered, however.

~ Single women, you don't need to wear a wedding band to look unattainable, it doesn't matter, believe me.

~ The people are very friendly and will always stop to say "hello" and ask where you are from, not failing to welcome you to Egypt.

~ Smoking is permitted everywhere.

~ Prayer call is done every few hours, at first it is annoying, after a while, it's just a part of life.

~ Wear sunscreen

~ Hot desert sun and beer don't mix.

~ Cairo is a lot like New York City.

DRIVING

~ First off, there are no rules.

~ It is like the horns are attached to the gas petal, constantly honking, it doesn't stop.

~ Lanes don't matter, there are three lanes of highway and five lanes of vehicles, drivers can actually reach out and touch each other. They squeeze through the tiniest place they can, but yet, no road rage.

~ People walk anywhere, and cross streets randomly, cars come so close to you, you feel they will run over your toes. There is not enough sidewalk space and you do have to walk on the street.

~ Taxi drivers will kick out locals to pick up a foreigner (of course we said 'no').

~ Taxi drivers will not pick you up if they are not going in the direction you are going.

~ "Pimp my taxi" became a phrase of ours, they have black lights and all the other little 'pimped' gadgets that the ricers have.

~ Most taxi drivers are very friendly and like to chat.

MEN

~ They love the white woman!

~ Most are very friendly, gentlemen, very clean, good manners, and will go out of their way to protect you.

~ They are "good boys" in public, but very affectionate at home.

~ They are very open about feelings and such.

~ Like to make sure you eat.

~ Good senses of humour. Big open laughs.

~ When they want something, they will keep trying until they get it.

SHOPPING AND VISITING ATTRACTIONS

~ Vendors will be always in your face, learn to say 'no'.

~ Sellers will walk up to you and give you 'gifts', but then expect a "small baksheesh", learn to say 'no'.

~ Don't look anyone in the eye.

~ Don't seem interested in anything.

~ Haggeling over prices is the norm, it will sound like arguing to an outsider and can get very dramatic.

~ Most importantly, learn to say 'no'!!!

~ Visitors pay more to get into attractions than an Egyptian.

~ If you are going to visit someone, call the embassy and enquire about a 'friendship card'. Apparently there is difficulty for an Egyptian to tour a visitor around, they need to be a 'legal' tour guide or have proof of friendship. Definitely enquire to save trouble.

FOOD

~ All food is very tasty, especially veggies, the nutrients from The Nile are responsible for this.

~ There is a high variety of food.

~ Everything is very healthy.

~ Egyptians love to eat.

~ Everything delivers, grocery store, all fast food, even the coffee shops.

BATHROOMS

~ BYOTP Make sure to always have some sort of tissues with you. You walk into a bathroom and get handed TP by an attendant, they take the roll, go around three times, rip it off, and hand it to you. That's all you get. (This really sucks after a bout of food poisoning).

~ That little hose beside the toilet, it's to wash your butt after a crap, nope didn't try it, have no regrets about that either.

~ There will be someone in the bathroom to hand you TP, turn on the tap for you, squeeze the soap for you, and hand you a drying towel, and yes, they expect Baksheesh.

~ Squat toilet? WTF is a squat toilet, did't see a single one!

~ The thing about the right hand being clean and the left hand being dirty (ie used to wipe the butt) is not true. Egyptians are very modern and very, very clean, always washing hands and faces, and no odor (no curry), in fact they smell kinda good.