Cairo's Spice Market (12/30/08 1:40pm)

Wondering around, looking for thread/yarn (it’s very inexpensive in this region, and seems to be one of the few ‘legitimate’ made goods we can easily purchase).

A propositioning guy shows up, leads us to where we can shop for thread, then spices, then artwork, and decorative boxes. He gets a commission from the pieces, but also led us to spots we probably would not of visited.

I had my doubts about the guy in the ‘factory’ making the boxes. Bo thinks it’s legit, but I think it’s a ruse. The guy leading us around was on his cell phone, and I can see how they have this ‘factory’ shop setup to move merchandise from China and claim it’s made here locally. Perhaps it is, I’m not sure. The boxes are of very good quality though, and I’ll get some good use from my eye glass case.

We also picked up some Saffron for $0.36/gram, and some other spices. Bo and Brad (I rang him) say it is really expensive in the states.

It was a fun day of things, and at the end, we got taken at a restraint by our guide. The three of us ate, and it was 120 Egyptian pounds…or $22. Ouch. I’m sure he’ll get a kick back on that one. We tipped him anyway, and now we are off to rest and then celebrate NYE2009!

My and Sarid, the papyrus painter (as mentioned in Lonely Planet)

The shop where the boxes are crafted.

Sarid's gallery.

Bo lost her ring (12/29/08 6pm)

After the pyramid and camel tours we headed over to an internet café. It’s quite impressive how the owner knocked the kid in the closest computer away. This same kid did a quick alt tab to hide the lingerie photos he was viewing; This was the closest thing to porn I’ve seen during our trip.

Bo had a conference call to make, so we setup the computer, Skype’d in, I checked e-mail, and then we were off to a laser light show on the pyramids.

It was a lot of fun, though a bit chilly as we were dressed for the desert sun, and not the desert night.

After the show, we hopped in a cab, and then realized Bo lost her emerald ring I purchased for her in Colombia!

We debated a bit, bo said she hoped it was in her purse. I wanted to go back and look…it’d just cost $2 in cab fair to check. I whipped out the trusty 3 LED flashlight my dad gave me for my birthday, and we walked through security. Back to the spot we were sitting, and voila! Glimmering on the concrete, her little silver emerald solitaire. We wore large grins on the way out, and the security folks were are very pleased we found it.

Camel tours...buyer be ware (12/29/08 12:59pm)

We walk into the Pyramid area, and are instantly approached by a man. He says it’s free, no charge, invites us over to see the pyramids, and he takes photo. We are skeptical, but there is a younger boy sitting not to far away, he says “It’s ok, he’s there by the government” so we proceed cautiously. He asks us if we want to take a camel ride (ah, this is how he’ll make his money). Then we negotiate, from way lots of money , down to 150 E.P each.

The kid from before, who said “it’s ok to go with him, he’s with the gov’t” is now our tour guide. Quite the team effort!

The Valley of the Kings!!! (12/29/08 12:03pm)

Wooooooooohooooooooooooo!

Ridding a camel!

Walking up and around the Great Pyramid (I wrote a junior topic based research paper on this in 11^th grade)!!

Photos…. :)

I'm huge!

I rode through the desert on a camel named Moses (or Micky Mouse)...

I wonder who is doing more work... the boy or the camel.

Cairo University metro stop, and a tricky cabbie (12/29/08 10:59am)

En route to Giza / Valley of the Kings, where the Great pyramid, and Sphinx reside, we snap some photos. The last one is of us in a cab, we negotiated for 15 Egyptian Pounds.

After we go there, the cabbie wanted 50 Egyptian Pounds. The Police/military folks at the Pyramid entrance came over to see what the problem was. We had given the Cabbie 20 pounds, 5 as a tip. He was not happy. Finally the officer told us to just walk away, and so we did. The Pyramids were expensive, and we did not have enough money. Fortunately we were talking with a French man as we waited in line, who LOVES America, the west and California. Needless to say, Bo and him hit it off. We gave him some US currency, and he gave us some Egyptian Pounds. And we were off to see the pyramids!

American Standard in Egypt (12/29/2008 10:50am)

If you recall my post about American Standard toilets, hand dryers and sinks throughout China, here is a picture of the comparable in Egypt. Ideal Standard. Not sure if it’s any relation to the American Standard, but the logo position / font seem very similar.

How to countin Arabic (12/29/08 10:45am)

The shops all have prices in Egyptian Pounds, and the numbers are written in Arabic script. I spot a clock, snap a photo, and this becomes my Arabic numeral translation tool.

GAD - Egyptian fast food/family dining (12/28/2008 8:12pm)

The food was tasty, the place packed. Downstairs was mostly standing room. Upstairs they had table service with a clear hierarchy in dress code. The managers wore jackets and ties with super large Windsor knots, they collected the money, directed traffic/seating and took orders. Next down were the blue and white checkered folks who ran food to the various tables (directed somewhat by the managers). The bottom tier were the cleaners/bus boys who had red and white checkered clothing.

Blue Mosque (12/25/2008 1:31pm)

This is the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul. It’s near prayer time, and we’re not allowed inside (we’ll return again).

Washing feet before prayer

I’m a bit shaggy, could use a hair cut.

Door to the courtyard

The Courtyard

Standing like a soldier

Bo is a dedicated photographer

Walking around old Istanbul (12/25/2008 1:15pm)

Merry Christmas (from the land of Muslim Mosques, and Muslims too). The people are very friendly, and the kehbab’s are delicious. These are snapshots around Sultanaman.

The itinerary (11:52am10/25/2008)

So we apparently slept off our jet lag. This is a photo of a suggested itinerary from one of Bo’s friends. I’m not a huge fan of writing down items and keeping paper/pen handy. I’d rather have something on my laptop, and then snap a photo of it with my canon digital elph, and then zoom in on the image to read. It works great, and I think I look less like a tourist (probably more like an exchange student).

Speak Turkish (9:15pm 10/24/2008)

Bo and I learn some Turkish words from a waitress at a cafe while waiting for our host. We rang him from our mobile on the train heading to his area, and got directions. He’s kinda visible in the background, behind Bo who is trying to keep warm with her scarf.