First Day in Cairo

Wow. What a place!!! First, had a fabulous sleep after I got into my hotel at 4am and didn't get going until noon. That is a first for me after an international flight. Then spent much of the afternoon getting lost, going to the train station, getting tickets etc etc. Egyptian people are incredibly helpful. And no one asked me for Baksheesh (a tip) once. Of course I walk around with the pitiful "help me look" when I am lost, so I get lots of help. Tricia knows what I am talking about. It drove her crazy on our Eastern Europe trip. And crossing the street isn't so bad. On less busy streets you just walk around cars, like in Vietnam with the bikes. And on really busy streets there are policemen that stop the traffic so you can cross. So not to bad.

Then this interesting Egyptian guy started talking to me. The next thing I knew I was having tea in his cousins living room. And then he took me to get photos. He was trying to help me get an international student card. Unfortunately the place was closed tonight but we're going there tomorrow. Supposedly you just have to be under 30...not a student!! That means all the entrance fees to stuff is half priced!!! He asked me if I wanted to see Egypt as a tourist or as an Egyptian. I said as an Egyptian. So then we went on a boat tour that mostly Egyptians go on with belly dancers and local Egyptian dancers. It was awesome. And tomorrow he's going to take me to see all the pyramid stuff so I dont' get ripped off with tour prices. He didn't want any money. I had to insist to pay my share for stuff. He just like meeting new friends. He seems cool. But don't worry everyone I'm being cautious and making sure to take care of myself. I think if he had wanted to rip me off or hurt me he would have already. Generally Egyptians seem very friendly and hospitable generous people. It's really refreshing.

Will keep you all updated.