Sunday 10 January 2016

Egypt....The Last Days

  I had just arrived back in Cairo from the north; more specifically Mersa Matruh and it was time to make the most of every remaining minute I had left in this intriguing north-east African country. This Arab world experience was a tremendous opportunity for me to learn about one of the worlds most exotic and mystifying cultures. After covering about 4,500 kms by bus and visiting many historical sites; I got a good perspective of the Egyptian culture; including the history, geography, and behaviours of past and present citizens.

  I have many words written in my journals that are just my own thoughts, but there are also so many recollections of conversations with locals. At Rommel Beach (Mersa Matruh) there was an Egyptian guy who approached me with a basic command of English ; he asked me what country I was from, I said Canada and he said "Canada Dry"; he thought he was so funny. He asked if I was married and when I showed him a photo of my wife and daughter he asks me how many wives I had; before I could say one, he cuts in with a boast that him and his brother have two each. Before I could get away from him he offers me a cigarette; when I told him I do not smoke he tells me that smoking does no harm because he can climb up the side of a pyramid in under 10 minutes. I just told the guy that people are not allowed to climb on the pyramids and turned around to walk away...I had some negative interaction with many Egyptian men. Once I crossed the road I went into the little shop where I was buying my food supplies; I knew in that shop there was an incredibly nice guy and his two sons that ran the shop........they were awesome.

  Back in Cairo I found some security in knowing a city well enough to be self sufficient when you do not speak the local language.

                                  

                         


Getting back to Cairo was more comforting each time I returned because I not only knew my way around but as I walked the streets it was with confidence; this helped when I had to snub the cons who approach with lines like "hey man, where are you from?, or "hey, remember I saw you on the bus yesterday?". I won't be missing the calls for baksheesh (tip) from so many locals; even when a door is held open for you a person may ask for a tip.

   On this last full day I awoke at 1am because it was too hot in my room; I took to the streets and struck up conversations with locals who were out wandering around. I rented a taxi and driver about 6am and headed south; I would see a few deadly accidents on this day. The first horrific sight was an overturned bus with a squished van underneath it.

                          


About 100 kms south of Cairo we arrived at the Al-Fayoum Oasis and Lake Qarun, which is Egypts 3rd largest lake.

                         


At the end of the lake were ruins from the ancient town of Dionysus.

                       

When we finished there we drove into the city of Al-Fayoum to get something to eat and many police kept approaching the taxi so that they could try to get baksheesh for escorting us to sites. We got out of there quickly and proceeded to the Hawara Pyramid which was just okay.

                      


  We then moved on to the Medium Pyramid which has a unique shape because it had extensions over time and was never completely finished.

                      

                      

 An entrance, like the one shown in the photo above , can put the size of this pyramid into perspective. Going inside the pyramid corridor's, gallery's, and chambers is what gives a visitor some satisfaction.

                   

My last day was memorable because I was again out in the desert where I could approach different pyramids. I had to say goodbye to the sand twisters and the 50 degree temperatures. From this pyramid one can see the important green belt that runs west/east of the Nile.

                    


  Egypt is an intriguing country that entices tourists from all over the globe; there is so much to see. I hope that enough calm remains in the region to allow tourism to flourish.