Cairo Sunrise

This first picture is an image taken at the top of the stairs while disembarking the air plane. My first view of Egypt from the ground. How appropriate. My plane leaving Amsterdam was delayed around five hours. About two of those hours were a good thing because I got back to the airport at just about the time when my plane was scheduled to leave. (Thankfully I knew it was delayed because Pearl called a family member and had them check the flight status.) The other three hours had an unexplained 1.5 hour delay along with another 1.5 hour delay to get two flat tires fixed. Yes airplanes get those too. The pilot came on the intercom just before we were to pull on to the runway to explain we had a flat tire and had to turn back to the terminal to have it fixed (later turned out to be two flat tires!). But finally we did take off and the flight was completely uneventful except to say it was quite empty and therefore I was able to stretch across three seats and get some minutes of fake sleep.

By the time we were flying over Egypt the sun was just showing over the horizon. The plane flew directly over central Cairo and I got some great views of Zemalek and the nile. Flying over the city is a good way to get an idea at just how immense this place is. Looking down from above one would think to see normal neighborhoods with house lined streets. But look again and those aren't houses. They are 3o storey buildings!

Amir was waiting for me on the other side of customs. We introduced ourselves and walked through a deserted lobby to the car and his father. The bags were handled by a busboy and drove off through a deserted city. It was Friday morning. 7am. Nobody was out. I was a bit dissapointed. Where was the clogged, congested, chaotic, city I had come here for? Amir and his father pointed out various sites and explained some general details of the city. I kept thinking it was evening. Kept thinking the sun was going down not coming up. We drove across the Nile and turned off the first Agouza exit and pulled into a nice shady street which was home to the Beshay's home. I came inside and met Amir's mother and sister. We talked, watched some Arabic TV (where I kept asking what this word and that word meant) They graciously understood that I was exausted and suggested I get some rest. Well, I slept for eight hours. And I am turning in soon for hopefully another eight hours! Goodnight!