Egypt - 4 Days 4 Cities

Happy New Year!! June and I are having quite an adventure and I've listed a few highlights below. I'll try to send some pictures soon.

Day 1: Amsterdam
I arrived in Amsterdam and spent about an hour waiting in the airport for June's flight to arrive. As soon as she did, we headed off into the city center for some french fries (it's what everyone eats there) and some wandering. It was raining outside and although both June and I packed ponchos, neither of us thought to bring them on the one day we would most likely need them. After wandering the streets for a bit we headed over to the Anne Frank Museum. It was both fascinating and depressing to walk through the same space that 8 people hid out in so successfully for so long, just not quite long enough. After the museum, we decided to take the canal tour. As it turned out, neither of us had the energy to stay awake long enough to learn much of anything.

Day 2: Cairo & Giza
It turns out that the JW Marriott Cairo is no where near Cairo. In fact, it cost us more to take a taxi to the city center than it costs to stay one night in the hotel. I guess we should have done a little more research before heading off. After making it to town, we stowed our luggage at the hostel that would be home for the next night and went in search of a taxi to take us to the Pyramids in Giza. However, just after hailing a cab, a friendly local insisted on showing us the way via bus. Once on the bus we questioned if it was the best idea, but in the end it turned out to be one of the highlights. We were able to get a feel for everyday life in Cairo and all of the locals were very friendly and helpful and made sure that we didn't miss our stop. It wasn't until I finally set eyes on the Sphinx that it hit me that I was in Egypt. The whole sight of the Pyramids and Sphinx were awe inspiring. After a few hours and a camel ride later, we headed back to town to the Egyptian Museum so that we could see the mummies before closing. I found the mummies to be both fascinating and disturbing. I was surprised by how small all the Pharaohs were, but maybe you continue to shrink with age after death.

Day 3: Alexandria
We woke up early and took the morning train to Alexandria. Upon arriving we took a taxi through the crowded streets to the Catacombs and Pompey's Pillar. The Catacombs were discovered about 100 years ago when a poor donkey made the ultimate sacrifice. He mistakenly stopped in the wrong spot and fell about 30 meters to the main chamber of the catacombs. As interesting as that was, the highlight of the day was walking through the streets and being greeted by all the people. Children followed us for blocks and posing for pictures. In the market, nearly everyone stopped to say "Hallo". I'm not sure that I have met a friendlier bunch. Eventually we took a taxi to the corniche (waterfront) and had a spectacular lunch overlooking the Mediterranean.

Day 4: Aswan
Aswan is quite a contrast from Alexandria. Where in Alexandria, the people are friendly and quick to smile, in Aswan, they only seem to smile if they are trying to sell you something. In Aswan the word "No" is merely the start of a negotiation. At one point June and I were surrounded by a taxi driver, a carriage driver and a felucca captain all trying there best to sell us on their service. Although we said no repeatedly, it wasn't until we were a block away that they realized we meant it. We did have a nice afternoon sailing the Nile on a felucca, stopping off at a couple islands.

Tomorrow, the adventure continues...