"Cairo: Wonder, Chaos, and History" a Cairo Travel Page by sswagner

Cairo is a very significant city in this world. It has many different faces. To the first time visitor, the city can be quite a shock. Traffic makes anywhere else look easy. This one city has a higher population than some countries. This is Egypt's primary gateway and the largest city in Africa. It has all kinds of sights, sounds, and smells. Some people love it, and others do not. It has an extensive history that is hard to find anywhere else. This is what draws in the tourists. Besides seeing the monuments in the surrounding area, it is advisable to explore the several layers of history in the city itself. There is the fascinating architecture of Islamic Cairo, the historic district of Old Coptic Cairo, and the modern city itself on the banks of the Nile. There are many restaurants to try, many markets to see, and adventures in every direction. For a few days, we explored the highlights. Even though we saw quite a bit for a relatively short visit, I felt like it would take a long time to really begin to understand the city. Cairo is not for everyone. To visit here, one must be willing to accept the profound cultural differences and adapt in some ways. If this can be done, then Cairo should be able to produce some fond memories.