Nov 18, 2010
Cairo, Egypt
Elevation: 23m
What is the first thing you do in Cairo? See the pyramids of Giza of course!
I got there at just before 9am. My heart sinks immediately as I see the think layer of pollution blanket the pyramids and the sky. No matter how typical and obligatory it is, I still want a shot of the pyramid shot w clear blue sky! No go! Alright, I will come back later and hope that somehow it will be better in the afternoon.
I hail down another cab and quickly my first day in Cairo turns into a day about taxi rides. I’ve never had so many in one day in all of the years of traveling. I usually opt for a combination of walking / metro / bus but that didn’t work out well today. What is most hilarious is that none of the cab drivers know where they are going. I went from the hostel to the pyramids. The man had mis-understood me somehow and took me to the Four Seasons hotel. Then he had to ask for directions about 5 times before we ended up at the pyramids. I asked the next cab driver to take me from the pyramids to the main train station. He had to ask for directions about 8 times along the way! I am not asking for out of way places! Main site, major land marks! What kind of cab drivers are you guys?! I had about 5 cab rides today and whether its metered cabs or the ones were you agree on a price before hand, same story, no one knows where they are going or they keep on taking you to the wrong place! It was better to take the cabs where you negotiate a price before hand as if they get lost, the meter is not running. It was ridiculous!
Sometimes when you are on the road, these kinds of insane things happen to you, you could either be mad and think that you are getting screwed somehow or you could just laugh and enjoy the insanity that is of the country. On top of it, I did get to see a good chunk of Cairo riding all over town with various cab drivers.
Eid al-Adha is seriously wrecking with my shooting plans (yes, all sacrifices / celebration to/of God must be convenient to me! JK). The markets are barely in existence today and there is not much more than rotting tomatoes for sale. Birqash, the largest camel market in Egypt is a mere 35km outside of Cairo yet, closed until at least Sunday!!! (Insert frown and pout!) I cannot describe to you my excitement for the camel market as I read the following description, “not for animal lover or the faint of heart!” At last, I can only hope for another camel market somewhere near Luxor or on Sinai.
I returned to the pyramids about mid-day and the smog is a little less intense. My camel guide keeps on flirting w me and asking me if I want an Egyptian boyfriend. The finale responds that made him stop asking is “enshalla” (if god willing). At the end of my ride, I paid him for the camel but he wanted a tip on top. Of course, he was unhappy w the 10 EGP I was willing to give him and wanted more. Eventually, I started to walk away. I was not going to negotiate the tip. He then got on the camel and started to chase me down. “You can give me 20. Its not that much more?!” “I just can’t.” Then I employed a new tactic, I started to beg him to take the 10 EGP. “Please just take this 10 pound as that is all I have!” It made him laugh and actually worked! I am happy to tip as per custom here but I am not willing to negotiate the amount nor do I want to get run over by a camel next to the pyramids so…
The sight of shelves full of shiny blue spine Lonely Planet guides in the American University in Cairo’s bookshop was like an oasis in the desert. I am now armed w the proper guides and no longer flying blind for the next month. Who says the Universe does not provide?! Now can I please have some excellent markets for the next 30 days?! Maybe a camel market as well!? Please!? Pretty please!
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