In front of one of the locations we scouted was this older woman who was walking back and forth speaking to herself. Even in the midst of terrible traffic and given questionable mental stability, she never faltered and was able keep this basket balanced on her head.
This photograph doesn't do justice to the atmosphere at this Lebanese restaurant near our hotel. The air was thick with smoke. Many patrons were smoking from water pipes while they ate. This man would alternately take a bite of food, then a drag on his cigarette. The food was delicious, in spite of the smoke that numbed our taste buds and made our eyes water.
In scouting Cairo, we have had the opportunity to see areas and details of the city, that often go unseen by outsiders. We have been on rooftops, and in small back alleys, we have left the well trod tourist routes, and entered into the world of the inhabitants. We have been to shops and restaurants that tourists wouldn't find. I am struck by all the television antenae and satellite dishes that abound on the rooftops. I am also surprised by the large quantities of rubble - lumber, brick, metal and building materials that lie on the rooftops. Of course, the random chair or shelf unit that sits among the rooftop rubble is also quite astounding.
Today the air cleared a bit and through the dust and smog I was able to see the shadowy outline of two pyramids from the balcony of my hotel room.
They become a bit more clear on closer inspection.
Which of course brings me back to yesterday's excursion across the desert.
Doug
Richard
Peter
Melanie
and me.
1 comment:
Look at you on a camel!
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