Egypt!!!

Upon arrival in Egypt we were brought to a tourism company that had an office at the hotel. The gentleman who met us was very helpful and arranged everything for the two days we would be in Cairo prior to meeting our tour group. While it might have been cheaper to attempt to arrange things ourselves, we still felt that we received a good deal. We essentially paid $150 each and that included transportation to the hotel, to nights stay, transportation and entrance into the sound and light show that night at the Pyramids, transportation and a guide the following day to Alexandria, and then transportation to the hotel where we would meet our tour group. It was great to get all of that taken care of at once. It has made the last two days much more relaxing and enjoyable. So, about Egypt...

Papyrus

Prior to the Sound and Light Show, our driver and tour guide took us to see how papyrus is made and we were given the opportunity to purchase some artwork there. Papyrus is one of those things that is very unique to Egypt, and once it was rolled up in a tube, very small and lightweight, making it the perfect thing for us to take along with us on our trip.

Perfume

Following the papyrus, we were taken to a perfume shop and introduced to many of the fragrances that are sent to France, there mixed with alcohol and sold for lots and lots of money. Unfortunately, we had to decline buying any of those, but the presentation was really fun.

Sound and Light Show

The English Sound and Light show was at 9:30 on Wednesday night. They use lights to illuminate the pyramids and the sphinx while projecting images to accompany the presentation on Egyptian history. It was very beautiful and interesting! AFterwards we went back to the hotel and a nice bed.

Egyptian Driving

Okay, now I've been in other countries where driving was a bit scary. I wasn't surprised to see that they really have no traffic lights and everyone pretty much bullies their way into traffic. What did surprise me was that they did the same thing on the freeways at incredibly high speeds. Weaving through people and scooting between cars while going 140-160 kilometers an hour can be disconcerting. Our guide, Mohamed, did a great job, though. He is 21 and in school to learn to be a tour guide. When he graduates in two years he would like to start his own business. A Chinese woman recommended that he create a website so people could find him on google. He laughed when we told him that we'd found our tour on google. By the end of the day, it was very clear why he wanted his own business.

On our way to Alexandria, we noticed that Mohamed was zipping through traffic, but seemed to always stay behind a certain white van, unwilling to pass them. We were curious as to why and so eventually I questioned him about it. Apparently there are various places where the speed is enforced by radar and this particular van was from Alexandria and the driver knew which areas had the radar and which did not. Mohamed was using him to gauge when he could go fast and when he had to slow down.

A few minutes later, we had a slight mishap. A driver ahead of us had car difficulties and rather than pulling off to the side of the road, he stopped in the middle of it. Another car stopped behind him and Mohamed barely stopped quickly enough to avoid missing it. Unfortunately, the cars behind us were not so quick on the reflexes and we were rear ended by another car who was, in turn, rear ended by the one behind him. Mohamed got out of the car and a yelling/screaming match ensued between the various drivers and a large crowd of people that had gathered. It seems, by the way, that rubber necking here can get pretty crazy and everyone likes to get involved. Before long, a large crowd had congregated around our car, and one of the other drivers was standing in front of our vehicle to keep us from leaving, while banging his hands on the hood and screaming at Mohamed. Now, you might asked, was I scared? And the answer to that question is, no. I was actually thinking two things. First, I was thinking that they had better not be blaming Mohamed for something that was clearly not his fault, and secondly, I was thinking that I hoped this wouldn't take too long because I was going to need a toilet pretty soon. Anyway, we were eventually able to get away after Mohamed told the others that he had tourists from the U.S. and if they didn't let us go we were going to text the embassy and they would all be arrested. I don't actually know the number for the embassy, but apparently they bought it because we were off. After stopping briefly so Mohamed could calm down, we were on our way again.

More later, but for now our driver is here to take us to the next hotel!