Back to Cairo for Departure

One last look at the amazing pyramids from my hotel in Giza, the le Meridien (supposedly a 5-star hotel, but nowhere near as nice as the Marriott I just left in Sharm el Sheikh).



During my taxi ride from hell - I mean the airport - I had about an hour to reflect on my entire trip (it was either that or focus on my Muslim driver's road rage during the holy month of Ramadan - the only person praying in the taxi was me). This trip made driving in Washington DC metro traffic look like child's play. So I drew up 2 lists - things that I would miss, and things that I would not miss...



Things I would miss:

• the friends I made during my many adventures
• the food at Zanilli's
• Karnak & Luxor Temples
• the Citadel in Cairo
• the Pyramids & Sphinx
• relaxing in the Red Sea in Dahab & Sharm el Sheikh
• floating down the Nile in our faluca

Things I would NOT miss:

• the traffic
• the air pollution
• the sound of Arabic being spoken (always sounds loud & angry)
• the dirt & garbage everywhere
• the begging & the poverty
• male chauvinists
• disappearing toilet paper; extortion to get TP; & not flushing used TP
• sleazy taxi cab drivers
• obnoxious shop owners
• fried food served with potatoes, rice & french fries
• lack of technology
• cutting in line everywhere (airports, restaurants, hotels)
• "hurry up & wait" mentality

Nicest spots:

• Luxor
• Dahab
• Sharm el Sheikh

Worst locations:

• our apartments in Agami (we called it Agony)
• the tourist trap, Pharonic Village (Yvonne accurately tagged it Moronic Village)

Next summer - an African safari and at least 2 weeks in Greece!