Cairo to Luxor: Day 2(?)

Cairo to Luxor: Day 2

Well……I never did get yesterday’s post finished sooooo, even though it is now Saturday evening of Day 3.……

After a lunch yesterday (Friday/Cairo) which was not the best in the world……in fact, our tour guide, Omar, told us to let the travel agency know how we felt about the quality of the food……..we were then taken to Coptic Cairo. You ask….”what IS Coptic Cairo???”……….I couldn’t have told you until yesterday when we learned more about the area……the area where Christian Egyptians and other nationalities live(d) and attend church….of which there are several churches. These are linked by narrow, cobble stone alleyways which snake between high stone walls. The Jewish community also makes this the center of their lives…..where they have a synagogue called Ben Ezra Synagogue. We visited this synagogue as well as the Hanging Church….which is built on small mounds/hills with the area underneath open to the elements. The place was rather dark with lots of art work on the walls as well as interesting woodwork around the place.

From there we returned to the bus and drove to another area of Cairo where we visited Saladin’s Citadel…..and then to the beautiful Mohammed Ali Mosque. All of the ladies with us had to bring out their scarves and drape them around their heads……presenting a very interesting side of them as we took off our shoes and entered the Mosque. Well…..my first time in a Mosque….and this was soooooo wonderful. Huge lights hung down, chandeliers, and red carpets on the floor made for a beautiful room. Outside where hundreds of school children who were sooooooooo friendly……yelling “ Hello!”…..”What is your name?”…..”How old are you?”……and each time smiling bigger and getting more excited with each question. I visited as best I could with some of them…….soooooooo wonderful and friendly!!!!!!! A memorable experience for me!!!

By this time it was beginning to get dark…..and so we headed to Khan al-Khalili……the huge bazaar and marketplace housing many, many shops, stalls, coffee shops, souvenir shops, and anything you might want can be found there! The 1st Lady and dived into the alleyways, narrow streets, pathways among seesha water pipes, etc., etc……and had a great time bartering with the shop owners, getting lost in the alleys, and in general just having a great time!!!! It was not much different than a large market in Mexico except for the different items that are “for sale”. The 1st Lady purchased a couple of items with great argumentative skills in getting the price she wanted……and then we met the rest of the group back at a coffee shop at the edge of the Souq……the name for the marketplace. This Khan al-Khalili has been serving the people of Cairo since it was founded in the 14th century….and some of the buildings are the original structures!!

From there we returned to the hotel. The 1st Lady and I went across the street to a great little Italian Café……the “Grazie” it was called. After a good meal…..I went down to the coffee shop where they have free internet and after quite some time, I finally got online and posted the beginning of this post. And soooooo…another day of ours ended…..and as always…

LIFE IS GREAT!!!!! REALLY GREAT!!!!!……And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!