"Cairo" a Cairo Travel Page by Saudi_phantom

Cairo, which Egyptians proudly call the ‘Mother of All Cities’, spreads along the banks of the River Nile for 40km (25 miles) north to south, the largest metropolis in Africa. Travellers through the ages have been both fascinated and repelled by Cairo. Visitors are intrigued by its twisting streets, medieval buildings, oriental bazaars and Islamic architecture of carved domes and sculpted minarets, while being appalled by its dirt, pollution, noise, crowds and constant demands for baksheesh (gratuities). Paying baksheesh is the local custom, however, so expect to give little and often. Culture shock is part of the experience of Cairo and can at times be wearing. But as is written in the ancient tales of the 1,001 Nights, ‘He who hath not seen Cairo, hath not seen the world’.

It was the last day of 2005, and here we were in Cairo, Egypt of all places. The night before we had stayed up late playing cards and drinking wine w/ sage and her friends, It had been a fun night. Our plan was just to do some shopping, kick it around town, and get ready for New Years Eve. It’s pretty weird celebrating new years in another country for sage. Back home at sage's country, she said that she spends all of December thinking about Nye, planning it, talking about it. By the time it gets to the 31st, everyone is so full of anticipation. Here, it’s a whole other scenario. Nye isn't a big deal in Cairo. No one really cares, and although it’s been in the back of our minds a bit, we hadn’t really thought about it that much. We never even decided what we would do until the night before. Walking around town, although we would be greeted by the occasional “happy new years", there definitely wasn’t the usually highly electric vibe that occurs on this day.

What I love most in Cairo are its people...
The most kind & open friendly people you can meet in this world, they really make you fell like home.
I have been there more then six times in the past five years, & I still can't get enough of it.