Pyramid Pictures Are Up! 1/3/10

Here's the link to the Pyramid pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025086&id=81900905&l=59b58b3f10

I'll try to get the Alexandria pictures up soon!
Today we're doing the Cairo citadel, the Cairo tower, and a bunch of other stuff!
Have a great day!

Alexandria 1/3/10

Ooh, I'm almost caught up. Yesterday we got up early and went to Alexandria (half hour metro trip, and then a two and a half hour train ride). The train ride was very comfortable - so comfortable that we both slept on and off throughout the ride. Like every other day here in the winter, the weather was gorgeous.

The first thing we did when we got to Alexandria was head to the new library, which was very cool. It was across the street from the Mediterranean, which provided a very nice backdrop. Outside, there were a bunch of things to look at, like the pool, some statues, and a few sundials, so we walked around and checked those out. Then we checked our bags and went in to the actual library. We couldn't do as much inside, since we had tickets instead of membership passes, but we did get kinda a feel for the place.

Next on the list was the Greco-Roman Museum, but unfortunately that had to be cut. It's been under renovations for approximately forever (3+ years), so we went to the Alexandria museum instead. This museum was very well put together, and had three floors. The top floor was Islamic and Coptic, the second floor was Greco-Roman, and the bottom floor was Pharaonic. The Islamic carvings were really really neat, and the weaponry that they had on display was quite ornate. Below the Pharaonic floor, they actually had a mummy room too, which was a nice display.

The third thing to see in Alexandria was the Citadel, which was built by an ex-slave to keep Alexandria safe. Judging by the amount of places to put canons, I'm thinking that this building did the trick. It was right on the water, which was nice because there was an awesome breeze, and it was fun to walk around outside. The colors were very vivid, with the sea being teal, the Citadel white, the green grass and the blue sky... oh, if I could only upload pictures! I'm still working on it. The views from the higher floors of the Citadel were pretty awesome as well - you could see the whole city along the coastline.

Lunch came next. We ate outside at this little restaurant. Again, I tried some Egyptian food that I cannot remember the name of. It was little balls of beef and onion, rolled up in wheat and spices, and deep fried. It was a little weird, but pretty good. There was a cat on the terrace that kept coming over to say hello to us. Don't worry, I didn't grab him/her/it and stuff it into my suitcase to bring home - but the thought did cross my mind. It's actually crossed my mind a fair amount since I've been here. There are a lot of stray cats running around, and a few stray dogs. Farah says that there used to be a lot more dogs, but they were becoming dangerous, so the city (Cairo) did a sweep and put a lot of them to sleep. Poor puppies.

The last activity in Alexandria was the amphitheater, which was excavated relatively recently, and is the only one of it's kind in Egypt, maybe in all of Africa. It wasn't that big, but it was pretty cool to stand on the key and hear the amplified sounds. The amplification really does only work from that one spot (It's not that I didn't believe it, but it was a really cool experience to actually try it out). We then wandered past the amphitheater to the rest of the excavation, most of which was closed off, since it is an ongoing project. In addition to the amphitheater, they're also working on excavating lecture halls and bath houses.

By this point it was around four, and our train departed at five, so we only really had time for a drive-by of Pompeii's Pillar, this massive column (that you could see over a wall) that used to belong to a temple. Three hours later, we were back in Cairo, getting ready to go out to dinner with a few of Farah's friends. We went to this nice Lebonese restaurant, where I got a chicken something. The chicken was really good, but I didn't care for all the parsley that it sat in.

What a great day!!!

Pyramids, Camels and slightly sketchy tour guides! Oh My! 1/2/10

So, I have received an email, dear readers, suggesting that there was general disappointment when I did not post a blog for January 2nd. My response is that yesterday was very busy, and that I will try to be more diligent in my updates. Whether that happens... we'll see.

Yesterday was a very big day, as it included the Pyramids, the camel, and a pretty rocking party. We got up around seven, left by eight, and were in Giza around nine. It was pretty hazy, and while we were driving, all of a sudden you could see this massive sillouette through the fog - first pyramid sighting! When we arrived, it became evident that there were three huge pyramids dominating the skyline, with six smaller pyramids thrown into the mix as well.

We went up to get tickets, and for the first time (though it had happened at the Cairo Museum, and has happened several times since) I realized that even as a foreign student, I was still paying significantly more than Farah. My ticket cost $6, her ticket cost 40 cents, or something like that. Apparently, this is a government policy to encourage locals to get involved with the Egyptian history. Which is good to know.

Anyway, we got past the gate (everything has metal detectors here), and very quickly found a guide with some camels who was willing to take us around. Now, getting on a camel so that you can commence with the riding process is quite the ordeal. When you start, the camels are on their knees (And still pretty darned tall). You get on top, and kinda adjust yourself between the humps. Then, the camel stands on his front two legs (still kneeling on the back two legs) and you lurch backwards. Then the camel gets up entirely, and you lurch forwards. There's very little to hang on to, and you feel as if you are going to tumble straight off the darned thing. We didn't, thank goodness.

After we had ridden a few feet, we had to determine the length of our camel ride. We were talked into taking the long ride, which ended up costing around $75, for almost two hours of camel experience. We started by riding past the pyramids (with frequent stops for pictures) and eventually wound our way out to a spot that was far enough away to see all nine of the pyramids together. On the way, I learned that Napoleon had accidentally bombed the great pyramid, which explains why the alabaster at the top has seen better days. I have some really awesome pictures of everything (Facebook and I are fighting over uploading right now. I am sorry to say that Facebook is winning). When we stopped to see all the pyramids together, we dismounted (a very similar experience to getting on the camel) and there was another guy there to give (trick us into buying) soda, and to take some pictures, which was very helpful.

After remounting, we went to the sphinx, which we observed at a distance. Camel tour guide then announced that the tour was over, but Farah made him take us back. I had no idea what was going on. But Farah is awesome. Next, we spent some time climbing on the pyramids and taking pictures while we worked our way over to the Sun Boat museum. The Sun Boat is one of the boats that transported the stones for the pyramids from Luxor and Aswan. I guess that what happened was that they excavated the boat, which was next to one of the pyramids, and they lifted it and built the museum around it. It was very well done, and an absolutely massive ship.

The last thing that we did in Giza was to go check out the Sphinx at a closer vantage point. We still didn't get all that close, as the Sphinx was definitely the most crowded part of the trip, but it was really cool to get to see it with the pyramids in the background. Basically one of two pictures that I think of when I think of Egypt, which was really neat.

When we got back to Farah's house, we hung out for a little while and then did some errands. I tried more Egyptian food, and we did a little bit of souvenir shopping, which was good. By the time we got back, we only had a few hours before the party that night. The party was really neat, because I got to meet a lot of Farah's friends. One of the girls had gone sandboarding the day before, and she was telling us all about that. It sounds like something that would definitely be worth trying, though I think I'll try snowboarding first - much easier to find in the states! The food was fabulous, and I had a great time.

So that's my blog for yesterday. I'll write my blog for today tomorrow morning (while all of you are asleep) and you can all hear about Alexandria and all the cool stuff that we did there. Until then, I'm exhausted and good night.

The Cairo Museum etc. 1/1/10

Today we got up around 7:15 (that's 12:15 am for all you east coast kids), got ready, and headed out to the Cairo museum. We took the metro, which is largely above ground and cost us one Egyptian Pound each (20 cents). Nine stops later, we were at our stop.

Crossing the road is another adventure, much like driving. Mostly because of the driving. Still no real rules. The Cairo museum is massive, and apparently has about 500% more stuff in the basement that they either haven't restored yet, or don't have room to display. The first floor was organized roughly by time periods, and consisted mostly of stone statues and sarcophaguses (sarcophagi?). There were a lot of them. Also, there was a large wooden boat that had originally been lashed together, and was approximately 4000 years old. Apparently, the Egyptian government, with the help of UNESCO and the UN, is creating a "Great Museum" in Giza. This "Great Museum" (much like the Great Man-Made River Project in Libya) is slated to be the largest of it's kind in the world. Pretty cool, and definitely necessary, as the current museum is way over-crowded.

The second floor of the museum held some of the coolest exhibits. Like the King Tut exhibit. Unlike the one that travels through the United States, this exhibit actually had his burial mask (solid gold), plus most of what was recovered from his tomb (gold jewelry, other coffins... lots of good stuff). In addition to the King Tut exhibit, there was also a large jewelry display. A lot of it was in great condition and looked like it could be worn today. Actually, it was very fashion forward. Tim Gunn would approve.

After the museum, we walked along the Nile for a while. It's surprisingly narrow, considering that the vast majority of water in Egypt comes from the Nile. We then walked around downtown Cairo. A lot of the stores were closed, but we did go to a few jewelry stores and an alabaster store. We had lunch with Farah's mother and brother at the Four Seasons in Giza. It was delicious! All sorts of... well... everything imaginable. All sorts of cuisine.

That brings us up to around four pm, when my jet lag kicked in a little bit and I crashed. That was a good, good nap. For dinner, we went to a restaurant called Crave, where I got some french onion soup. Several of Farah's friends, including Thea (who we played board games with yesterday) were there, and for dessert, we split this chocolate lava cake that was far and above any of those family restaurants in the states that try to make them. Way, way better.

Plans for tomorrow: PYRAMIDS!!!! CAMEL FRIEND!!!! So excited. There will definitely be pictures coming.

News from home: Girlcat has adopted my dad, and now plays fetch with him. Owen has not adopted my mom, and has turned the Christmas tree (and probably the rest of the house) into a jungle gym. He has also resumed his "I'm a food bully" attitude and general naughtiness. Some things never change.

And 2009 is over 1/1/10

So after a long and somewhat adventurous flight, I landed in Cairo International Airport more or less on time. I paid $15 for a very pretty entry visa, got in line, and 20 minutes later was through customs. Farah and her were waiting for me, which was awesome, and we were on our way.

Some initial observations about Cairo. It's really warm here. Driving back from the airport, the temperatures were in the 60s, which was more than pleasant after the 9 degrees that Massachusetts was when I left. Traffic laws may be in place, but practically speaking, driving seems to be a free for all. Lane markers are ignored, weaving is common, honking is constant, and a car's personal bubble is nonexistent. An interesting cultural note. There are massive cemeteries in the middle of the city (they used to be on the edges, but urban sprawl built up around them), and these cemeteries are not like the ones I live next to. Apparently families buy plots of land in this area, and then build their houses on them. Ancestors reside right down cellar. Very convenient.

When we got to Farah's, we hung out for a little bit and then I got to try some Egyptian cuisine. I had a rice, lentil, pasta mixture (real name to come when I get Farah to spell it again) and a grilled lamb/beef thing (again... I'll figure this out...). Quite tasty. After dinner, we went to Farah's friend's apartment for a small new year's celebration. We played board games, ate cookies, and drank champagne while waiting for midnight to strike, which is my kind of celebration.

Tomorrow, we're going to the Cairo Museum, and we have some kind of a lunch event. I'm excited!!!

The Wee Hours of New Years! 12/31/09

I would tell everyone more about them... but I'm going to the Cairo Museum. So I'll do more with... yesterday... later.

In the air, over... clouds 12/31/09

So this is what I know at this point:

1) The flight from Massachusetts to JFK is boring. It always is. I guess that I can only get so excited about forty minutes of flying time and forty minutes of sitting on the runway. Upon landing, I found my next gate, which was hosting a flight to Rome prior to mine. After two hours of sitting across from two engineer barbies (they were engineering graduates from U. Penn whose voices just rose and rose and rose in pitch and volume as they discussed cell phone ring tones and other things that I didn't care about) I went for dinner, which was actually very tasty.

2) Superfreakonomics is a very solid sequel to Freakonomics. I know that because I was able to get through all of it in my extended time at JFK. Also, I was skeptical about using an electronic reader as opposed to you know, a book. Call me a convert. The Sony Reader is very pleasant, and seems to be reaasonably easy on the eyes.

3) I forgot to bring a pen in my purse. I have several in my suitcase, but that is currently not accessible. This means that the puzzle books that I brought are slightly less useful than I might have hoped. But, I have my computer and I have my ipod, and I have my brother's reader. It could be worse.

4) It's better to fly first class. I had more legroom on my Boston to JFK flight than I do now. Also, when I passed through the first class section, I noticed no children. Not so of coach. I am in seat G. In seat E, one row ahead of me, there is a woman who has a little girl on her lap (old enough to seem to be pushing the idea of infant in arms concept). This girl goes has gone into hysterics about once an hour. When she's not bawling/screaming, she's running up and down the aisle and hitting people with her pillow. I am not a fan.

Those are the things I know for sure. Around twenty minutes into the flight, several women, including the one with the child, started absolutely screaming at each other in what I assume is Arabic. This incident was about three rows ahead of me, and lasted for a good ten minutes. It took three flight attendants to break it up. The lady sitting next to me and I were both a little fascinated. A bit remaniscent of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. And small child is screaming again.

The top of my list of things that I don't know for sure is the time. Egypt is seven hours ahead of the Eastern time zone. My computer is reading 5:10 PM, Eastern Standard Time 12/31/09, which is impossible. We left at 11:00 PM on 12/30/09. It's an 11+ hour flight. I'm supposed to land in Cairo around 5:00 PM local time, which means 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time. So I'm thinking that maybe it's really 5:13 AM, which would mean that I got around 4 hours of questionable sleep. But I can't really be sure about that. I certainly did not get 17 hours of sleep. Oh, good news, the movie ended and they're playing maps. We are almost over Portugal, with four and a half hours to destination.

These are some nice clouds...