I just landed, got to my hotel, rested for a bit then got drunk ordering every red wine by-the-glass they had at the Kempinski Nile hotel restaurant Osmanly. These are the thoughts coming out before dessert.
Dear Reader,
you want to visit Egypt? Then taste everything you can get your in your mouth. The air, the noise, the humidity... but really, it's all about the food, the scenery (be the snake you long to be) and the wine.
Did you know Egypt now grows wine? I got to taste some of the products coming out of their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It is absolutely interesting. I've never tasted this before. Maybe it's the desert? I've been told grapes are grown around Alexandria and the Sinai peninsula region. The Merlot is where it's at. It has this very, very strong taste you would expect from Sangiovese, but it's the Merlot hitting you in the face like that. You will have to get your hands on some of it to live it.
That city, Cairo, so far reminds me very much of my time in Kinshasa (DRC) and Amman (Jordan) combined. The traffic is not describable with words you can say out loud, à la Kinshasa, and the scenery is hazy enough to imagine: you can't see contrast, but you do perceive tones of light gray and beige combined with dust in the air.
The city feels secure, but outside is not amazingly safe right now, and that's what folks tell you about it. Yesterday 13 tourists perished in what was described as an accident by the military; they were conducting a training exercise and oops... It happened because the Mexican tour group was not at the right place. So, _do_ make sure to stay safe if you go now.
On that, I'm on my way to a jazz bar. Oh, yeah, before I forget: Egypt is cheap right now, so it is easy to splurge on a budget.
/Shukran/ to life, and you, dear Reader.
#travelingPerron
Exercise for the Reader:
1.1 Find out where grapes are grown in Egypt.
1.2 Look at prices for a round-trip to Cairo during off-season.
1.3 If you do go, make sure to call the nice hotel you just booked for assistance on transport.
Suggested accoutrement:
* The bag's gotta be beige or black, messenger-styled, canvas or nylon as the temperature will render you insane. You will look like a tourist to start, but at least be one of the pretty ones.
* The luggage has to be check-in sized; the cabs/cars won't be accommodating. I've seen luggage strapped with ropes on cabs.
* Make sure to bring some form of enhancing accessory; most places will expect business casual.
Dear Reader,
you want to visit Egypt? Then taste everything you can get your in your mouth. The air, the noise, the humidity... but really, it's all about the food, the scenery (be the snake you long to be) and the wine.
Did you know Egypt now grows wine? I got to taste some of the products coming out of their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It is absolutely interesting. I've never tasted this before. Maybe it's the desert? I've been told grapes are grown around Alexandria and the Sinai peninsula region. The Merlot is where it's at. It has this very, very strong taste you would expect from Sangiovese, but it's the Merlot hitting you in the face like that. You will have to get your hands on some of it to live it.
That city, Cairo, so far reminds me very much of my time in Kinshasa (DRC) and Amman (Jordan) combined. The traffic is not describable with words you can say out loud, à la Kinshasa, and the scenery is hazy enough to imagine: you can't see contrast, but you do perceive tones of light gray and beige combined with dust in the air.
 |
| Everything seems fully constructed though! (contrast was enhanced in this image) |
The city feels secure, but outside is not amazingly safe right now, and that's what folks tell you about it. Yesterday 13 tourists perished in what was described as an accident by the military; they were conducting a training exercise and oops... It happened because the Mexican tour group was not at the right place. So, _do_ make sure to stay safe if you go now.
On that, I'm on my way to a jazz bar. Oh, yeah, before I forget: Egypt is cheap right now, so it is easy to splurge on a budget.
/Shukran/ to life, and you, dear Reader.
#travelingPerron
Exercise for the Reader:
1.1 Find out where grapes are grown in Egypt.
1.2 Look at prices for a round-trip to Cairo during off-season.
1.3 If you do go, make sure to call the nice hotel you just booked for assistance on transport.
Suggested accoutrement:
* The bag's gotta be beige or black, messenger-styled, canvas or nylon as the temperature will render you insane. You will look like a tourist to start, but at least be one of the pretty ones.
* The luggage has to be check-in sized; the cabs/cars won't be accommodating. I've seen luggage strapped with ropes on cabs.
* Make sure to bring some form of enhancing accessory; most places will expect business casual.
