Topic: Alexandria to Cairo by train

QUOTE:

Derek
It looks quite civilised. When I was there in the seventies, they used to hang onto the backs of the buses and red traffic lights were usually ignored. They all seemed to think that by putting you hand on the horn, it gave you right of way.
Brian

Brian that was the civilised part, I remember the ride in as Wilba described it, and putting your hand on the Horn. I think they did that when we left Port Said and never took it off until we stopped in Cairo.

We became friends with a young couple who were going by train to Cairo, and had booked into a central hotel themselves on line. They were an adventurous couple- he, American, she,Swiss- and they were used to back packing. They couldn't understand the fuss that other cruisers were making about it. They made it back to the ship with no problems.
That same day, there was a bomb in central Cairo (Feb 09). This couple had just been in the cafe where it had happened. Our captain had made an announcement that all the cruisers were safe, but we in the smoker's corner knew that this couple, and a group of Americans still hadn't returned. They all made light of it...it could happen anywhere!
We also have a neighbour who visits Alex every year on his own, and spends a week travelling round. He's always bemused by people worrying about Egypt, which he thinks is a pretty safe place.
jo.

Hi all
If i have to give one tip,,don't go inside the Great Pyramid.
Its claustrophobic,hot,smelly + wet.
The one + only time i did one poor woman was screaming to get out,
and its difficult with people behind you blocking the way.

BTW,did people notice the number of houses with Pigeon lofts,its the local delicacy!!!
Also how every house has steel reinforcing rods sticking out of the roof,that's for when the son gets married, they just build another floor on top for his family.

I'm the adventurous type,i escaped for 30 mins from tour group to a cafe for a Tea + Smoke (water pipe),but they weren't keen on women sitting with the men.
JC

QUOTE:

Hi all

Also how every house has steel reinforcing rods sticking out of the roof,that's for when the son gets married, they just build another floor on top for his family.


JC

also they don't have to pay the final building/property tax til the house is finished, so leaving it unfinished saves money