First real day in Cairo

Warning: Please do not run these notes through any grammar checking I am just jotting things down to share and for my own memory! ;-)

Well, last night I got played a bit. The standard "Where are you from?". Indigenous person lists off 2 cities from your country and says they have family or business ties. They invite you to a shop and start to show you their wares to buy. Last night was a guy trying to sell essence/perfumes, of which I frankly was not really in the mood to buy. Always make you feel like a bad guy when you have to break it off with them. Oh well, left and had sheesha and tea with mint leaves.

Woke up and went for a run, first items were to get a multi entry visa since I am going to Jordan and also get a sleeper train to Aswan. Turns out that I don't think I need a multi entry visa, I got my sleeper train ticket to Aswan. Next, go to Pyramids of Giza from that same Giza Metro where I bought the ticket to Aswan.

One taxi guy wanted 30 pounds and was hounding me while I waited for the ticket booth to open. I didn't want to pay that much as Lonely Planet says should be around 8. But soon enough another guy came in to compete and I got him to take 15. I am thankful for Adam Smith's invisible hand out here in Cairo.

Shared the taxi ride with an Egyptian Zizo who had me at his place for tea before I hit a camel ride tour of the Pyramids. Bought an Arabic headdress for 10 pounds, guys sort of swoop down on you and make you feel bad.

Got plenty of great photos and a tour of the pyramids riding a camel. Saw Cleopatra's tomb. The sphynx was spectacular. Lots of sun but seeing the pyramids is a must when here and I am so glad to have seen them.

After the tour, they try and funnel you through essence/perfume shops and papyrus art shops. Always inviting you for tea and being friendly but you know it is all about you distributing your money to them in the end.

Kind of getting tired of this stuff. Had to laugh at the American trying to barter down the bus driver to half a pound (12 cents) rather than pay one pound. He must have been taken big time earlier in the day. You get kind of rattled after so many people trying to take you and their fake friendliness. An old lady was laughing that she would pay his bus fare. But you sometimes feel like everyone is taking advantage of you, but I guess you should not get too carried away with it. There are good Egyptians who are truly hospitable but just keep on your toes.

Went to the Egyptian Museum and really like King Tut's exhibit. Lots of gold and I have memories when I was younger about studying King Tut and seeing the pictures. Loved it.
Had a Schwarma and sheesha later, feeling quite burnt out after today, lots of walking, sun, figuring out travel & hotel arrangements. Off to Aswan tomorrow evening, I don't have hotel arrangements, work it out when I arrive at 8:05am. Also have to work out details on how to get to Abu Simbel so I can see the Great Temple of Ramses II. Will try to hit some more sites tomorrow in Cairo.

I can get more Cairo on the way back, but my hard deadline is my flight out of Cairo and still have lots to see.