A Lady Waiting

The Egyptian Museum was built under French direction and the Franco-Pharaonic statues who stand guard over the main door reflect the French influence. This was one of the first purpose-built museum in the world and when the new museum is built, it will be put to a new use.

Move Over Ronald

On the way home from a horse auction at the Egyptian Agricultural Organisation, we were all starving and looking for someplace to grab a bite to eat. As we drove through Ain Shams we found a big red sign for Amo Hosny (Uncle Hosny) a chain of sandwich shops that, despite the interesting spelling on the sign, serve some excellent food. Amo Hosny's been written up on some blogs and in Egypt Today as having some of the best burgers in Cairo, and I personally think that they are pretty good. The meat has a distinctive Egyptian flavour from the spices, the buns and vegetables are fresh, and the french fries are excellent. The bill for burgers, fries and Cokes for three of us was less than one cheeseburger plate at Lucilles and for one was half of the cost at MacD's. Not bad, Amo Hosny.

The One and Only

The Mogamma is modern Cairo's labyrinth of bureaucracy. Foreigners renew visas there and Egyptians apply for passports, birth certificates or any other documentation there. All who must enter in do so with great reluctance, knowing that their exit might be hours later.

Not Just For Tourists

The Giza Pyramids are also a favoured place for school trips for the children here. Some squealing and laughing schoolgirls find camel riding pretty exciting.

Give Me A Kiss, Moses

While visiting Giza with some friends who were winding up a trip to Egypt, we made the requisite pilgrimage to the panoramic point to take some photos. Despite no plans to go camel riding, the girls succumbed to the charms of Moses the camel and his handler. Moses does seem to be genuinely fond of Omar.

Easy Rider

The streets of Cairo never fail to surprise me. Here, the term "chopper" takes on a new flavour.

Hope that everyone has a marvelous New Year.

Big Brother Is Watching

I was out riding with some friends one afternoon and the brisk winds had blown away every shred of Cairo's pollution. Clear days like these used to be the norm here in winter but thanks to the diesel engine, no more. We rode by a modern village graveyard with its little domes and when we looked back could see quite clearly the Great Pyramid at Giza overshadowing them. You may need to click on the picture to enlarge it.

Winter Shoes

It's too cold for sandals now and the shoe stores are displaying more seasonal shoes. Rather than simply displaying them in the window, this imaginative shopkeeper has hung them all over the front of his shop with bright lights for evening shoppers to take their pick.

Step Into My Office

One of the endearing traits of Cairenes is their ability to make themselves comfortable almost anywhere. A corner, a sunny spot in an alley, a shady spot under a tree.....any of these places can be converted into a workspace with a table, chair and maybe a water pipe.

The Air Up There

Living around Cairo, one spends a lot of time in the car. I'm constantly amazed at the odd things that I see simply crossing the Nile on the Moneeb Bridge. On this lovely clear crisp day a group of men sat, stood, and worked on top of an immense advertisement for Vodafone. I'm not entirely sure what they were doing there, but I was glad that it was them and not me.