Cairo

In Egypt we made our way to Old Cairo where we went to the largest open-air market in Egypt called Khan al-Khalili Bazaar. If you remember the Disney movie "Aladdin" this gives a whole new meaning to walking through a market. "Fresh fish!!" "Pretty necklacke for a pretty lady!" These shop owners just attack you and the competition is fierce. If you even glance at something you have 5 men surrounding you shouting prices and offering other trinkets to buy. This is where avoiding eye contact and living in a bubble world came in handy. If you're a good bargainer you can get away with some steals. This video doesn't do it justice but it gives you an idea. Khan al-Khalili was basically a medieval shopping mall under Saladin and today offers tourtists and wealthy residents: jewelry, leather goods, brass and copper items, cloth, clothing, frankincense, myrrh and varieties of spices from East Asia.
Cairo is a very poverty stricken city and the the only nice structures or buildings are those dedicated to tourism, which comprises 90% of the Egyptian economy. There is a building code that states that one can begin to build on any spot of land but as soon as the building is completed, taxes need to be paid on it. So there are unfinished buildings riddled throughout the city and countryside.

Also in Old Cairo we visited some coptic churches in the old Christian quarter. Including one built over a cave where the holy family supposedly stayed during their flight to Egypt for a period of three years. We also visted the oldest Jewish synagogue, Ben-Ezra synagogue, in Cairo. We saw the Cairo Citadel aka Mosque of Muhammad Ali, where we were required to take off our shoes as we entered in. Our tour guide was an Egyptian muslim so it was interesting to see his point of view on things. In the Islamic religion there are five essential pillars of practice one of which being daily prayer. Five times a day muslims gather to pray, kneeling toward Mecca. We also visited the Egyptian Museum where artifacts from King Tut's tomb were located as well as a royal mummy room where the likes of Ramses II lay. We also took a stop at the Hard Rock Cafe in Cairo to enjoy a burger and fries. Sad to enjoy one without lettuce and tomato (the fresh vegetable rule... sigh). ;)