Back in Cairo

Back in Cairo now and things are oh so different from before. For starters, I’m staying a hostel which is way different from The Hilton or Dreams Beach Resort! It’s a little more my style, but I’m not knocking the lavish, no sir! Still, I’ve met some really cool people so far and definitely gotten to know another side of Cairo. There is a mosque around the corner, so I’m just starting to get used to the daily prayer moans that echo from the loudspeaker 4-5 times a day; it’s going off right now, actually.

Today, I got me an Egyptian haircut and shave, all combined for a total of 25 Egyptian Pounds, which is like 6 dollars. The craziest thing was the shave, which for the most part was normal until the end. The guy whips out a thin piece of thread and proceeds to slide it along my cheek, forehead and ears pulling all the tiny miniscule hairs with a sharp ‘Twang’ that was oh so painful. Believe me when I say that my face TRULY feels ‘As smooth as a baby’s bottom!!’

I tried pigeon for the first time. The meat was scarce and it was difficult to get a good bite, but I will say that it was savory whilst ‘just like chicken.’ I also tried cow brain in a sandwich, definitely not my style and I was unable to finish it. Still, it was an experience aye? Egyptian food can be tasty, but I am definitely looking forward to getting out of here and on to newer foods.

The people here at the hostel are great, so friendly. I was very worried about my safety after leaving the J’s and returning here to Cairo alone, but I couldn’t have picked a better hostel- there is a tourist police station right out front and just about everything I need in this area, which is close to the center of Cairo so there’s plenty to do. All the same, I haven’t done much except read Plato’s Republic (in preparation for Greece) and Stephen King’s ‘Salem’s Lot.’ Good stuff.