Cairo City home to 20 million and counting

we've been in Cairo now for a few days. things have changed in many ways since we were here 5 years ago. prices have gone up, but so has service. The smog & pollution seems to be much worse. We're all a little bit groggy when we get out of the taxi after a 1/2 hour drive to our destinations. there are coffee shops everywhere now. Last night, Maya and I went to a brand new mall where they had 3 Starbucks, a second cup, Costa coffee and many others. it was the biggest best mall i have ever been to. it was 6 levels high, had 3 food courts, a cinema with 30 different theaters, Romano's Macaroni grill and every store you could ever think of and then some.

So far we've been up the Cairo tower which has some of the most amazing views of the city. We even saw all the way out to the pyramids - although they were mostly covered in a thick haze of smog. Yesterday we visited the Citadel, a huge mosque on a hill overlooking the city. It's my favourite place in Cairo as it has a peace and tranquility about it. The ceilings are beautifully ornate with their many domes. There were so many groups of school kids on field trips when we went and everyone of them wanted to say hello to us. All the little girls were touching Maya's blonde hair and some were even picking her up and kissing her. She got so much attention that she lost her hair clips in the madness! Luckily, she's taking it all in stride and loves the little kids here.

The weather today is cool and windy. I've got 2 layers on and I'm thinking of putting on a 3rd layer. Definitely time for the thick blankets tonight. We're staying at the same hotel that we've stayed at for years here in Zamalek (a district in Cairo, like Kitsalano). They've renovated since we were last here, but things seem to get dirty so quickly from the pollution. After a day out, you will find your kleenex black after blowing your nose.

We're getting up around 7am every morning and having breakfast on our terrace. The traditional Egyptian breakfast here is bread rolls, butter, jam, laughing cow spreadable cheese, a hard boiled egg and piping hot tea. We then head out around 9am to see one sight before returning home for Maya's afternoon nap. Then we head out again after she wakes up for another activity and then dinner. Lunch has been chicken shwarmas or pizza. Somehow they have the best pizza here in Egypt!

Tonight we're headed out for dinner to an old favourite of ours - La Bodega. They have a wonderful set menu consisting of four courses and the dining is in a 30s style restaurant with dark wood panels.

More to come soon.

Love,

K, J & M