Introducing Cairo
Upon arrival, the choreographed chaos here hits you like a ton of bricks. It doesn’t take long, however, to acclimatise to Cairo’s wall of noise, snarl of traffic, cry of hawkers and blanket of smog, and get drawn into the hypnotising charm of this pulsating metropolis. Known to its nearly 20 million residents as Um ad-Dunya (Mother of the World), modern Cairo is a hotchpotch of recent growth barely superimposed on a dense bed of history. Wander down to Islamic Cairo and you’ll be sucked in through the looking glass to a bygone medieval era. Head out west to Giza’s famed pyramids and the time warp sets you back a full 4000 years. Meanwhile, the city’s main museum bursts at the seams with the priceless wealth of ancient Egypt’s antiquities. But the real allure of Cairo lies somewhere in the quiet moments in between: sipping a sugary shai or puffing leisurely on a sheesha while watching the life of the city whirl past as it has for eons.
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Last updated: Jan 20, 2012
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Sudanese visas in Cairo
by roskruge 27 May 2012
On a Australian Passport. I have just applied for visa for Sudan at Aswan (Egypt). Consulate (behind New Abu Simbel Hotel 55 EP per night…
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RE: Questions about the Situation in Cairo - Looking for Travel Advice
by lenoxhill 26 May 2012
Famhud...I went south to Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. Did not go to the white desert. Took public transportation the whole way. Over…
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RE: Scrubb!
by Scrubb 24 May 2012
Ahem. In my extremely normal voice, let me just say "Yes, Kape, I am in Egypt. And there are many very good looking men here, let me…








