Egypt - Land of Confusion - photos of monuments & memorials in Cairo on Worldisround

Egypt - Land of Confusion

Egypt - Land of Confusion. It's not my quote. It belongs to a "helpful" local who took it upon himself to ensure Shelly and I had an excellent time in his fair city. Egypt had always been one of those destinations we had dreamed about. I was particularly keen to explore the wonderful Fatimid and Mamluke architecture of Islamic (Medieval) Cairo. Alas, it was not to be. Unfortunately we were beset by "helpful" con artists - sorry, I mean colourful local characters offering to help us avoid the pitfalls of this ... (more)

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Cairo
St Georges Church.

Cairo
Inside the Maridani Mosque. The mosque was built in 1339 and incorporates...

Cairo
The Maridani Mosque.

Cairo
A view down into the central courtyard of the Maridani Mosque.

Cairo
A view over Islamic (Medieval) Cairo towards the Citadel.

Cairo
View over Islamic Cairo.

Cairo
Rooftop soccer.

Cairo
Traditional mansion in Islamic (Medieval) Cairo.

Cairo
The house of Gamal al-Din, a 16th century Cairo mansion. Our self appointed...

Cairo
The business room in Gamal al-Din's house. Note the oppulent woodwork and...

Cairo
Ornate ceiling in Gamal al-Din's house.

Cairo
The magnificent Bab Zuwelia. Built in 1092 and the site of many public...

Cairo
Amir Akhur's mosque

Cairo
The Mohammed Ali Mosque, built in 1830-1848. It is bulit in Ottoman style.

Cairo
Mahmoud Pasha Mosque.

Cairo
Mosques and Minarets.

Cairo
Boys selling bread.

Cairo
A street scene in Islamic Cairo.

Cairo
Street life.

Cairo
The Khan al-Khalili (market)

Cairo
The Madrassa of Al-Gouri (built in the early 16th century).

Cairo
Peanut seller.

Cairo
Islamic Cairo at night.

Cairo
The Egyptian Museum.

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article published 12/27/2006

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Dear Paul, thanks for your marvelous photos, and for telling exactly your depressing experiences! It's too bad, they have become like this, it's SAD. Now, according to the NY Times, they have eaten all the PIGS (who used to eat the garbage!) to avoid swine flu, and Cairo is now FULL of garbage! I would advise tourists to stay away till they get this latest problem "worked out"!!
— Eleanor Robb, September 30, 2009

Thanks for your comments! But, I have traveled very widely, all over the world, so I do know a "few things". I am glad to be "set straight" about what you think I said is wrong, tho'. I don't know "everything"! It's good to be able to exchange views and opinions, without anger or hurt feelings, we can only learn this way.
— Eleanor Robb, April 19, 2007

To Paul & Shelly, then To Eleanor.
Paul. Congrats! You survived Cairo. It's not that easy for an outsider who has to go thru the beaten tracks for the first time. But it's worth it if you like to see what Lonley Planet and Herodotus promise. I am sure the Imam you saw in the bakery now thinks that Tourism is bad because of how it changes locals with tendencies into greedy blunt scoundrels. Points taken my honest friend. -- Dear Eleanor. You seem to be from the Midwest where the beautiful golden corn fields are, but no concept of what cosmopolitan cities are about! I dare you to Washington DC by evening where the Aid money is decided to be spent for the safety of the rest of the world.
— Mohamed Mabrouk, April 18, 2007

oh dear!
V. good write up. As an Egyptian, it was rather embarassing to read about the trouble you went through, although I know we do have trouble with 'helpers' on the street. I had the same trouble in Italy. Your best bet, is to ask your hotel for advice on a guide, and keep him with you on a daily basis. if you don't want to do that,then I want to advise anyone visiting, that when you get haggled by 'helpers' on the street, you have to give a very firm 'NO'. They'll get tired and leave you alone. if you try saying it very politely, they'll keep bothering you. One more thing, a quick note to Eleanor - I'm not quite sure where you heard that Muslims cannot practice birth control, that's totally wrong. Muslims can, and do all the time. In fact, they are encouraged to. Many Thanks all!
— Rasha, April 16, 2007

Thanks SO MUCH, Paul, for sharing these wonderful pix with us! It's a shame, we are giving the Egyptians $3 billion a year (to be our "friends") and Mr. Mubarak is "salting it away", I guess! I have read, he cannot provide his people with jobs or places to live. Since Moslems cannot practice birth control, there is no place for many to live except in cemetaries!! (sigh!) There WERE many nice and friendly people when I was there, many years ago!
— Eleanor Robb, January 29, 2007

Terrific Photography
Enjoyed your pictures tremendously. Beautiful large screen size pictures. Especially the little story "Land of Confusion" These "helpers" really are a pain in the neck. Really good job. Cheers
— Terry Heaps, December 30, 2006

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