My favorites from Khan el Khalili

Scenery of the bazaar.

bits of Khan el Khalili

This bazaar had a lot of the same little trinkets and goods. The glinting sisha's and glowing lights complimented the spice filled air. Overall the sales people were friendly, not hagglers like the guys at the pyramids. Of course people lied about having set prices by the government, but twelve pounds (about 2 US dollars) isn't exactly a rip off.

 I'll be heading back here Insha'Alla

Khan El Khalili

This is a taxi ride to and a few shots from the Bazaar in Greater Cairo known as Khan El Khalili. Lots of trinkets and cheap things, cat calls and mopeds. It was a night-

 The Pyramid of King Titi at Saqqara

Photographs are not allowed inside the tomb, but I did not know until after I had taken these two close ups of the hieroglyphics. Being inside the tomb was a very engrossing experience. I wanted the lights set up to all be turned off, just to sit in the darkness for a while. When it comes to pyramids my curiosity is always hightened at what the "company" of the King felt when they knew they were going to accompany the dead Pharoah to the afterlife.

A close up of the Pyramid of Khufa at Giza

Climbing the pyramid was pretty amazing. We were only able to go up so far, and no one got a picture of us from the ground, unfortunately, but it did happen. Standing on or sitting on these extremely heavy blocks took my mind back to a place I can hardly imagine. The size and mass of the stone is mind boggling, especially considering the number of slaves it took to create the pyramid. Most of all the amount of time put into this pyramid is alarming and wonderous. 20 years to create a baffling structure, whose purpose is still shrouded in mystery. The Pyramids are magnificent architectural structures and mystic spaces as well. I did find the fascination I wanted upon the eroding stones.

The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.

I wish this site was a little more marvelous and spectacular. Something more of my dreams rather than a grounds for rip-offs and over eager camel men. All due respect to thosee trying to support themself, but grabbing or touching tourist  is unneccessary. Alas, that cannot always be avoided. Meaningless compliments, promises of free camel rides and marriage were not favorite experiences of mine, I was simply trying to photograph World Wonders. Along with the compliments I was told I was of "Egyptian color" and I was not preferable to my blonde, blue-eyed collegue. I understand how the world works and who is socially idolized. I am not that girl. I just wanted to be awed by a giant tomb of a Pharoah and not be reminded that I was still on Earth, in this world with all its imperfections and ugliness.

A view of Cairo from the edges of Azhar Park.

Inside the Amr Ibn El Aas Mosque. This is the first and oldest mosque in Egypt,its origin dates back to the year 642 AD. The mosque was named after Amr Ibn Al'As after his Muslim army conquered Egytp. The mosque has three other names

Taj al-Jawamie - Crown of Mosques

al-Jamie'al-Ateeq - The Ancient Mosque

Masjid Ahl ar-Rayah- Mosque of Banner Holders

it is also the oldest mosque in the African continent.

And the Hanging Church gets its own post. A really magnificient part of Egypt's diverse religious history.

Scences from the Hanging Church in Islamic Cairo. The church's history dates back to 5th or 6th century. The church is located on the top of the southern tower gate of an old Roman fortress.

A view from the Nile.
A view of Abbas Bridge at night on a faluka ride down the Nile River.

Walking through the streets of Cairo yesterday. A very fun ordeal. This photo was taken not far from the Zamalek housing for AUC in the city. The day was very eye opening overall, I definitely had to speak some Arabic which was fun and rewarding.

The first image is a dish called Koushary/Koushari. This contains chickpeas, spaghetti noodles, macaroni noodles,corn, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and a choice of meat. About a third of this plate was kcocked over by a cat when I got up to quickly grab a napkin...

The second plate is a food called Fateer, an Egyptian Pancake. For Americans think of a pizza quesadilla. The girl eating this fateer ordered hers with sausage(Halal sausage), peppers, tomatos and cheese. It looked super good and was super huge.

This food is from a restaurant on campus called Al-Omda, The Egyptian spot on campus.

This is the view from my window. It's a pretty simple view of mexican architecture, I'm not exactly captured by the shot, or my window in real life; albeit, I am so happy to be here in Egypt.

Maybe I'll get some cooler lighting later on

Nothing like junk food and halls. This was a little gift from our ResLife directors, Sachi and Maha. And this is part of my desk underneath the food stuffs. I'll have some photos of actual Egyptian food to come!