Visiting Egypt

Sitting in an internet cafe in Cairo, feeling completely happy and grateful for the amazing 2-day study tour that was organized by the Congress Committee of IPM.

Wednesday morning, we began our study tour with a visit of the pyramids in Giza. Our stay in Giza was complemented with a back-aching visit of the tomb of Chephren's (we had to walk up and down a corridor inside the pyramid that was one meter high!), an elegant camel ride and a beautiful view of Chephren's Great Sphynx of Giza. After lunch, we visited the Old City of Cairo, historically inhabited predominantly by Christian Orthodox Egyptians (Copts). In the Old City we visited one the oldest orthodox churches in Egypt that was built in the 4th century. From there, the tour moved to the National Museum of Egypt, where we enjoyed various collections of Egypt's cultural patrimony, dating from the pre-historic era to the Greco-Romain period. Then we went to Khen Halili bazaar, where we were bargaining over prices on clothes and souvenirs and where our negotiating skills were no match for the street smarts of the local traders. The day finished with a dinner and a cruise down the river Nile, spiced up with a belly dancing show (you can see my friend Bakhtijar from Azerbeidjan trying to run off from the belly dancer):)

The next morning, we left for Alexandria, one of the most beautiful cities on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This city has something to show alright: a juxtaposition of old architecture(Qaitbay's Citadel) and modern architecture (the New Alexandria Library), a blend of the traditional Egyptian cuisine and delicious sea food specialties and the difference between the generous hospitality of Egyptians and the growing demands and expectations of tourists! Alexandria amazed me with its clear air, fresh breeze and beautiful beaches that are yet to be discovered! Definitely a place I would like to go back to for vacations:)

In the next three days, I will be discovering the culture and traditions of Egyptians further in depth with the guidance of few of my local friends. Can't wait to see what does Egypt have in store for me...