Delighted to be home after an incredible holiday in Cairo, Egypt.
It was interesting to see the other side during Pesach. I did look out for jews in the hieroglyphics - But we couldn't see any reference to the Pesach story. So I'll have to look into that-let me know if you have any info.
We did feel a bit of tension - There were rumors of protests around main Mosques and Tahrir Square (next to the Egyptian Museum) on the Friday after lunchtime prayers. And yes, we were mad enough to got to the Egyptian Museum on the Friday. There were loads of tanks parked up next to the museum in preparation, and no, we did not mention we were jewish to anyone! But we had an english speaking guide and driver for the day/week, who kept us out of trouble.
It was interesting to see the other side during Pesach. I did look out for jews in the hieroglyphics - But we couldn't see any reference to the Pesach story. So I'll have to look into that-let me know if you have any info.
We did feel a bit of tension - There were rumors of protests around main Mosques and Tahrir Square (next to the Egyptian Museum) on the Friday after lunchtime prayers. And yes, we were mad enough to got to the Egyptian Museum on the Friday. There were loads of tanks parked up next to the museum in preparation, and no, we did not mention we were jewish to anyone! But we had an english speaking guide and driver for the day/week, who kept us out of trouble.
in the Egyptian Museum ( we weren't really allowed to take photos in there)
The authentic mask of Tutenkamun. (taken from a guide book) Did you know he was buried in 3 solid gold coffins and 4 boxes each one fitting inside the other, like a russian doll.
the royal mummies hall was incredible and well worth the extra 100EP to go, although Alfie was a bit frightened!
So, we were virtually the only tourists there, it's a great time to go-the Egyptian museum in Cairo is incredible. There were no queues to see the authentic Tutenkamuns treasures. (the recent European tours of the treasures are replicas)
We visited the Pyramids in Giza on horseback and by camel-which the kids adored-even Alfie was riding solo, without being led. Unfortunately he didn't know his right from left when trying to direct him-quite funny. Patch went everywhere. (he's had a few washes in hand sanitiser)
We visited the Pyramids in Giza on horseback and by camel-which the kids adored-even Alfie was riding solo, without being led. Unfortunately he didn't know his right from left when trying to direct him-quite funny. Patch went everywhere. (he's had a few washes in hand sanitiser)
at the Pyramids in Giza
Giza by camel and horseback
the Sphinx
We spent a day in Saqqara, visiting more pyramids and tombs-the hieroglyphics are so clear to see (and touch) It's such an aweinspiring thing to see and do, climbing down shafts into tombs, to see walls full of hieroglyphics. you can easily see how its inspired film after film, fashions and architecture and for Sasha-gameshows (think Crystal maze and Fort Boyard). However there's only so many tombs Charlie could take so Harry Potter came out a few times!
Cairo is enormous, we stayed in Giza at a beautiful but empty hotel. The environs outside were rather rundown-and there was litter everywhere. And Cairo is so big and congested that is took a while to get anywhere. On the first couple of days we had our friendly English speaking and expensive driver (useful on the Friday when there was tension) . After that we took the local transport around-buses, the metro and micro buses (clapped out vw campers with the doors open) which was much more fun. -but we had the luxury of being able to hop in a taxi when we had too much.
All the women I saw were covered up. So I felt like I had to dress fairly modestly, although you still couldn't get me in trousers. How they wear jeans and cardigans, sweaters and even coats is beyond me - the temperature was lovely for us - probably 28 degrees. I forgot my costume so had to buy one. That was quite an experience. Standard female swimming garb is a 3 piece lycra suit consisting of leggings longsleeve polo neck body, and tunic, or with built in head cover. I got something far more immodest, kind of a swimsuit with skirt and inbuilt cycling shorts. The pool was a bit cold for me-so it only came out once!
Cairo is enormous, we stayed in Giza at a beautiful but empty hotel. The environs outside were rather rundown-and there was litter everywhere. And Cairo is so big and congested that is took a while to get anywhere. On the first couple of days we had our friendly English speaking and expensive driver (useful on the Friday when there was tension) . After that we took the local transport around-buses, the metro and micro buses (clapped out vw campers with the doors open) which was much more fun. -but we had the luxury of being able to hop in a taxi when we had too much.
All the women I saw were covered up. So I felt like I had to dress fairly modestly, although you still couldn't get me in trousers. How they wear jeans and cardigans, sweaters and even coats is beyond me - the temperature was lovely for us - probably 28 degrees. I forgot my costume so had to buy one. That was quite an experience. Standard female swimming garb is a 3 piece lycra suit consisting of leggings longsleeve polo neck body, and tunic, or with built in head cover. I got something far more immodest, kind of a swimsuit with skirt and inbuilt cycling shorts. The pool was a bit cold for me-so it only came out once!
these are egyptian swimming costumes-I particularly like the full length sporty one on the right
I didn't really talk to any women there. Most of the guest facing hotel staff were male. (there were a couple of female receptions but their grasp of English was not great - Can't say I have any grasp of arabic though.) But there were some women working in shops that we saw.
It does make you appreciate how lucky we are to live in the first world in a democracy, where we have choice and freedom. I hope my children can appreciate it too.
It was a bloody long day coming back yesterday. We woke at 3.30am to catch the 6.45 flight home via Paris to get home for 7pm. Unfortunately I spent the evening with hedrin and the nit comb on all of us. I think we must have taken them away with us, so we can't blame the Egyptians for that!
It does make you appreciate how lucky we are to live in the first world in a democracy, where we have choice and freedom. I hope my children can appreciate it too.
It was a bloody long day coming back yesterday. We woke at 3.30am to catch the 6.45 flight home via Paris to get home for 7pm. Unfortunately I spent the evening with hedrin and the nit comb on all of us. I think we must have taken them away with us, so we can't blame the Egyptians for that!
catching the train to the airport
on the travellator at Manchester Airport. Did you know Halliday Meecham designed it?
We were constantly asked by locals for photos, especially Alfie. They'd take it in turns to stand with us.
One of our best days was a successful search for an english copy of the second Harry Potter for my daughter. Which involved a trip to the bookstalls in central Cairo by microbus and metro
We made an evening trip to see the Sufi dancers
We gave the kids a day to choose what they wanted to do and they found the local themepark on the internet. It was a 45 min bus ride from the hotel in Giza. It was a great way to see locals letting their hair down. We spent most of the time being followed by groups of boys, and girls.
here we are posing for numerous photos
inside the tomb in Saqqara-more impressive than Giza
Sasha climbing out of the tomb
the ceilings were carved with stars
incredible hieroglyphics inside the tombs in Saqqara
coloured hieroglyphics inside the tombs in Saqqara
Inside the Zoser complex. Designed by Imhotep. He designed the first step pyramid and stone tombs.
the entrance to the Zoser complex
A bit of stair porn at Cairo airport
inside Charles de Gaulle airport on the way back
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