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September 21, 2006I am in CairoStepping off the plane in Cairo, I first noticed the smell, a mix of rubber and diesel that sweetened the air. I walked down a wobbling staircase to a bus on the tarmac which took us to the main gate. I waited in line for a visa, then I waited in line the clear customs. As I exited, I was greeted by my cab driver, named Mohammad Ali. He welcomed me to Egypt. It was past three in the morning.My flight out of New York was delayed and I didn't end up leaving until half past midnight. The airline had supplied snacks while we waited. I attempted to sleep. Some six or seven hours later we touched down in Amsterdam. The flight had been smooth and the skies were clear. My head was anything but. Still, I bought a train ticket to the center of town and then boarded a tram bound for the Van Gogh museum. It was just nice to be outside. The museum was under some reconstruction, and I wandered the galleries that were still available. I was particularly drawn to the top floor, which exhibited some of Van Gogh's final panoramic landscapes. On the lower levels, a travelling exhibition of Japanese art traced some of what inspired the artist. I bought a few postcards and walked outside to sit in a nearby park. I hadn't realized that fall was practically upon us. I could see it in the long shadows and feel it in the slight crispness of the air. I wrote my cards and checked the time, then decided to return to the airport to nap before my flight to Egypt. This morning I forced myself to sleep in. Upon arriving, I was told that the room I had booked was not available and the manager asked if I would share a room. He showed me to the dorms where a man was snoring, his luggage in the bed beside him. I took a quick shower, and went to bed. As I packed, a man appeared in the doorway. He asked me if I wanted to see the pyramids. No, I told him. He asked me if I were checking out. I said yes. He asked me where I was staying next, and I told him the Cairo Marriot. His eyes widened. Five star hotel, he said. I smiled and said I was staying with a friend. I paid for my five dollar bed and wished him well. Posted by eku at September 21, 2006 10:27 AM Comments
Glad to hear you made it to Cairo safely. Keep us up to date! Posted by: teresa at September 21, 2006 6:41 PM5-star hotel!! Traveling in style this time, are we? :) I recently read a fabulous article about Egypt - I think it was in Conde Nast Traveler. I'd like to go someday. Until then, I'll have to experience it through you. Posted by: irene at September 21, 2006 7:57 PMAre you going to see the pyramids? And the Egyptian Museum before you leave Cairo? Posted by: Debbie at October 6, 2006 5:18 PMyeah. i did end up going to both. as far as museums tho, the coptic museum i thought was a much better designed museum. unfortunately i didn't have time to see the islamic art museum. they're building a new egyptian museum by the pyramids which should be cool. and i thought saqqara was actually more interesting than the pyramids in the end. the problem with the pyramids is that they're too familiar from all the pictures of them . . . also unfortunately i didn't get there in time to get a ticket to go inside the great pyramid. another time i suppose. Posted by: e.ku at October 26, 2006 5:54 PMPost a comment
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