Cairo

Today we visited 8 historic sights! We began at the Citidel and toured the palace and two mosques. Then off to Old Cairo for another palace and more mosques. Te most amazing thing about the historic sights are the intricately designed ceilings that are everywhere. We also spent time finding our way through an old castle that has so many rooms it is like a maze. I have been eating Egyptian food and so far have no troubles. The biggest culture shock is the lack of cleanliness everywhere - the smog, smoking, litter, and grime - not used to them. Traffic in Cairo is impossible. Lanes are not marked and people just drive and walk wherever they want. It is very scary in the back of a taxi. We ended the day with a falucca ride (small sailboat) on the the Nile. It was peaceful and beautiful. The lights of the hotels along the river were fabulous. Tomorrow we will see the pyramids and sphinx at Giza and tour the Egyptian Museum. Spending time with Marwa, her mother Magda, and her sister Manel has been great - I feel like part of the family. We have laughed so much.