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Drew & Emi's Life Adventure
Arrived in Cairo around midnight and had to get a taxi to the Sara Inn Hostel. This was a little challenging to negotiate price and then to actually find the place. We were able to check in (a nice private room for about $8 night) took showers, and then we received a phone call just before going to bed ( around 2:30 am) from the owner welcoming us personally...what a nice surprise. So we shlept in till around 9:00 , ate breakfast (includd for the $8) and headed out on our own to explore Cairo. It was little uncomfortable at times not knowing where we were (our map wasn't detailed and the street signs were often scarce or in Arabic), but everyone was friendly and many, many people (especially children) said "hello" or "welcome" - it was quite obvious we were tourists, walking down the streets and thru several local markets. The bucher section was particularly interesting (pigheads and brains) so we took a couple pictures there. We learned that the Chinese aren't the only one to eat that stuff. We walked a long way and finally arrived a t some mosques and figured out where we were. We entered one (name still a mystery) and learned it was on their $5 bill (Egyptian Pound). Then an English speaking man kind of "latched onto us" and we expected he would ask for money because he was "playing tour guide". We edned up walking thru a very narrow street in Old Cairo, and then entering "Blue Mosque" for a more intimate tour and explanation and a trip up the tower for a view of the city. We "contributed" to the mosque and "orphan" fund, but even if it was a total scam (I think only partial), it was well worth it. (Emi, however, may think differently).
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