Capturing Cairo

Galvanic and soul-stirring, Cairo’s breakneck pace of life translates into a colorful concoction of intriguing characters and unlikely sights and sounds

Text and Images by Nazley Omar

“Every Friday there is a revolution!” declares Ahmed, an Egyptian taxi driver, as he takes a corner at full tilt.

My introduction to the Egyptian capital immediately sends my senses into overdrive. With no traffic lights or stop signs in sight, Ahmed weaves in and out of the frenzied traffic with ease and precision. When I wince as a car brakes right in front of us he flashes me a big grin and says, “Relax! This is Cairo. It’s crazy but everything is OK!”

There is no better way to sum up this enigmatic city. Few countries have changed so much over such a short period of time as Egypt has since the revolution of 2011 when a wave of demonstrations resulted in the overthrow of long-time President Hosni Mubarak.

As we near the city center, the streets pulsate with life and the locals show off their raucous entrepreneurial spirit. Street stalls and hawkers have set up shop in the shadows of grand historic edifices. And even though it’s still the early hours of the morning, people mill about in the hundreds. We drive past the symbolic Tahrir Square that was the backdrop for Egypt’s Arab Spring. While the unrest in the city has subsided, some people are now unhappy with the current President Mohammed Morsi, explains Ahmed.

“Many feel that his government is in fact worse than Mubarak’s but at least Cairo is safe to visit now. We want visitors to know that they are welcome,” he says.

While it’s a precarious time politically and economically, it’s a fascinating time for tourists to experience the city as it bursts with change. The jewel of the Nile is prepared to reward travelers with lower prices and less congested tourist hotspots due to a significant decrease in visitor numbers. In addition, as tourism is essential to the livelihood of many, locals seem to go out of their way to avoid bad publicity.

4

Cultural Kaleidoscope

A character in the story One Thousand and One Nights proclaims, “he who has not seen Cairo has not seen the world at all.” The center of one of the most spectacular civilizations of the ancient world, Cairo has long experienced changes of power. This has resulted in the city being divided into the Pharaonic, Roman, Islamic and Christian districts, each significantly different, making the city a kaleidoscope of cultural diversity.

Dubbed “the city of 1,000 minarets,” Cairo’s skyline is an amiable horizon of domes and minarets and is home to some of the oldest and grandest mosques in the world. Each mosque stands tall in its opulence and has a charm of its own, meaning you could visit several and still be enchanted by each one. While the Al-Azhar Mosque is the most popular with tourists, the ambiance at the Aqsunqur Mosque is like no other. From the outside, it blends in with the gray, dusty backdrop of the city but once you enter the courtyard, calm permeates the structure where high ceilings are peppered with small, bright lights. While the mosque resembles the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, there is no denying the exceptional architecture highlighted by the beautiful blue tiles with floral motifs that cover the qibla wall. The best part of the mosque is the reward you get for climbing the stairs up the minaret. It opens up into a sublime view of the citadel, the Sultan Hassan Mosque and the walled medieval city. People, farm animals and cars swarm about below in a controlled frenzy of a well-oiled commerce machine. Then the adhan (call to prayer) sounds, and just like that, the city comes to a virtual standstill.

Old Cairo, home to the Coptic Orthodox Church, is the chalk to the Islamic district’s cheese. Founded in 42AD, the Coptic Christian community has withstood centuries of persecution under the Crusaders and Muslim rulers. With some of the city’s oldest churches, mosques and synagogues in the same vicinity, it’s the perfect area to lose yourself for a few hours. I wander the streets discovering mosaics and tombstones hidden in dusty lanes.

The Hanging Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is the most popular church and for good reason. Beyond the entrance of the gate, the courtyard is bordered with beautiful mosaics and steps lead to the sanctuary where the 11th century marble pulpit, murals and timber roof reminiscent of Noah’s Ark bask in their grandeur. I am lucky enough to witness some of the liturgy held in the old Coptic language.

Egyptian souks are an integral part of local customs where commerce takes place cheek by jowl blending elements of the medieval period, African and Arab culture. Situated in the Islamic district, Khan el-Khalili is a revered outdoor marketplace that dates back to the 14th century. It’s easy to lose yourself in the labyrinth of stalls and get intoxicated by the excess of colors, smells and tastes. Handmade traditional artifacts, spices, hookah pipes and leather are all a steal. Here, haggling is a valued verbal art.

While the shopkeepers’ persistent, and sometimes aggressive, tactics intimated some, I welcome the challenge. My most celebrated moment comes after 15 minutes of playing cat and mouse, as I manage to bring a merchant down to 100 Egyptian Pounds (USD28), from 220, for a pair of handmade leather shoes. As I skip out the store, he calls out, “Nice doing business with you, shukran, shukran!”

I reward myself with a cheap but hearty falafel (bread filled with chickpeas) and fūl medammis (cooked and mashed fava beans). Finishing it off with a traditional Arabic coffee and shisha at an authentic coffeehouse makes it the quintessential cultural treat.

6

The Real Pyramid Scheme

No trip to Cairo is complete without visiting the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still intact. The Pyramids of Giza are every bit as awe-inspiring as expected. When standing at the base looking at the Great Pyramid rise coolly from the desert, I am overwhelmed by the sheer size. Imposing and majestic, the pyramids baffle the mind and stir the soul. Standing right up against the large slabs of rock, some of them far taller than me, is proof enough that the Egyptians were far ahead of their time. It is believed that the three pyramids were built for the Pharaoh Khufu, his son and grandson (Khafre and Menkaure) around 2530BC. Some 100,000 people worked on it moving six and a half million tons of stone with nothing but wood and rope, over a 10-20 year period. It’s no wonder historians and Egyptologists have long questioned how the grandiose tomb was built – before the invention of the wheel – inspiring countless conspiracy theories.

The best way to explore this mind-blowing region is by camelback. Our guide Yusuf delights us with stories of this fascinating civilization. We have great fun snapping pictures from a spot where you can capture all three pyramids. We take the requisite shots of using perspective to alternately jump over the pyramids or hold them up. A short camel ride away lies the magnificent Great Sphinx of Giza which is the world’s oldest known monumental sculpture and is believed to date back to the reign of Pharaoh Khafra 2532BC. Well worth the extra cost of the camel ride, my day trip to Giza culminates by watching the sunset in the desert, which paints the sky in picturesque brushstrokes.

3

If the Pyramids of Giza are the holy grail of Cairo then a cultural trip down the Nile is the Cup of Life. The river overflows with history, religious significance and culture. I decide on a dinner cruise that has a scrumptious buffet of local delights. A complete juxtaposition from the conservative, Islamic elements of Cairo, the belly dancers wow me with their captivating pelvic moves. Curvy, gorgeous and scantily clad, they work the crowd often stopping to snap pictures with eager tourists. The most impressive is the spinning Tanoura folk dancer. Dressed in an elaborate outfit that resembles something out of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the dancer spins tightly around one spot, performing various tricks for a solid half an hour. The show concludes with audience interaction. Unfortunately, I am not as graceful as the folk dancer, the weight of the coat throwing me off balance after just four spins. I make my way back to the table in a fit of giggles.

With its mix of old and new, bargain prices and the winds of change firmly stirring through it there is no better time to visit Cairo. A visit to Egypt not only brings the pages of history books to life, it’s firmly paving the way for the modern, allowing visitors to experience history through revolution in the making.

7

Tips for Traveling

As Egypt is an Islamic country, it is advisable to wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, especially if you plan on visiting the religious monuments.

Egyptian hawkers and merchants are known to be in your face and sometimes aggressive but by responding politely and firmly they will let you be.

Tipping or baksheesh is a big part of Egyptian culture and is often requested as service charges to waiters, doormen, shopkeepers and garage attendants so factor this into your budget.

Share this story, choose your platform!

About the author:

Leave a Comment

Vietnamese athletes in the Olympics 2024

As 2023 came to an end, Vietnamese sports fans celebrated three remarkable athletes who clinched the official berth for the Paris Olympics 2024 in France. The Vietnam sports authority is hoping to take 12-15 athletes to represent their nation at the Olympic Games in France, but only five have qualified so far. That puts them

Read More »

Momentous Sporting Events in Vietnam

Vietnam has always been known for its resiliency, history, and culture. These qualities are only further exemplified in the sporting events that they hold in the country. This Southeast Asian has been the stage for many milestone moments for the country and the region as a whole. It doesn’t look like Vietnam is about to

Read More »

THAIFEX- HOREC Asia 2024

Shaping the Future of HoReCa Bangkok, Thailand – The Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Koelnmesse are thrilled to announce the upcoming THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2024. Scheduled from March 6th to 8th at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, this premier event is poised to redefine the HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and

Read More »

Adventure Travel in Uganda: Rafting, Hiking, and Wildlife Safaris

Uganda, often called the Pearl of Africa, is a hidden gem for adventure seekers. With its diverse landscapes, ranging from dense forests and snow-capped mountains to vast savannas and majestic rivers, Uganda offers a wide array of thrilling activities for those looking to explore the wild side of Africa. From adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting on the

Read More »

Streets, Stories, and Pho: A First-Timer’s Guide to Hanoi

Hey there, Hanoi Newbies! Welcome to the chaos, charm, and downright deliciousness that is Hanoi! Buckle up because we’re about to dive headfirst into this city where every street has a tale to tell, and the aroma of Pho is practically a love letter to your taste buds. This first-timer’s guide is your golden ticket

Read More »