Egyptian Museum and other things

Tuesday 29th - 12:00
Before getting to the museum I spent a couple hours walking around downtown. I woke up late and didn't get out of the hotel until 10. All I have to say is, Crrazy! Cars everywhere, people, noise, water dripping on your head from airconditioning, people trying to talk with you and sell you things. And crossing the street... OMG! Talk about sensory overload. Finally, I get to the museum because I think I would escape some of that. No way.. I have a man that was incesantly trying to get me to hire him as a tour guide... to the point that he follows me around and keeps trying to sell. I made the mistake of sitting with him by the ticket office and being frindly. After that it was all over for me and I finally got away by purchasing my ticket and going inside. People can be very persistent here.

1:08pm
I just walked out of the animal mummy room. The monkeys are scary. I've been walking around here since noon and so far I've just covered the first floor. I moved up to the second (so much more to see) but I think I need to find food.

3:23pm
I've been sitting in front of the museum relaxing. I had to come out to find refreshments. It's so hot in there and the afternoon was much busier with crowds of people. The cafe outside the museum has the best mango jucie. It was so good I had two. In the museum, I had a number of rooms to myself which was really cool. The Tutankhamun exhibit was wonderul and the gold coffins and funerary mask were Amazing. Amazing. So many things to see. It was all a little disapointing thoguh in that there is no photography allowed in the musume. I tried everything to get my camera in. Well, with the exception of paying someone off. I'm sure that might have worked and I should have tried, so many things to take pictures of.

Note about the museum. When leaving around 5pm I stepped past the gates and into the street where it was like fresh meet to the hyenas. I had like ten people trying to sell me papyrus scrolls.

8:05pm
I just ordered food at Cafe Riche. I've walked all over downtown, went to Cairo tower and spent about an hour at the top. After that I walked back to the central square by the Egyptian museum and was sitting watching traffic when a man sat down next to me. We talked for 20 minutes or so and it was one of the best conversations I've had... that's without someone trying to get money from me. Very friendly and he gave good advice. So, after that I walked down to the cafe. Completely good food. I was so hungery for real food, I just had mango juice and water all day. I have to say it has been a pretty good day in all.

The museum, amazing!
Traffic, crazy... Crazy! I survived crossing the street many times today. I have to wonder if this isn't the 21st century meaning of the phrase, walk like an Egyptian.
The Cairo tower, very cool and beautiful views. I captured some great shots there.
Downtown was interesting during the day but came alive at night. So many shops, lights, and people.