9-25-2009 SALAAM FROM THE CITADEL AND THE COPTIC MUSEUM

The Citadel, Cairo Egypt 9-25-09

Are we having fun yet??? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh if any moment in this trip could be defined as an AH HAH moment for me it would be the instant Steve took this photo.  We were at the CITADEL today..one of the largest and most impressive Mosques in the world when we decided to go look over the top of the railings to take in the spectactular view of the city of Cairo.

The Citadel, Cairo Egypt 9-25-09

ABOVE: AS I SNAPPED THIS SHOT OF STEVE AND LOOKED IN THE SCREEN TO SEE IF THE EXPOSURE WAS RIGHT, GUESS WHAT I  SAW……….YEP…THOSE PYRAMIDS MAGICALLY APPEARED IN MY PHOTO WHEN MY BAD EYES COULDN’T SEE THEM IN “THE FLESH”…………AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THE MAGIC OF PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

As we were both taking photos of one another and the people and scenery, a group of teenage Egyptian school girls gathered around me.  They kept eyeballing me with timid smiles on their faces so I said a cheerful “Hallo.  Thats all it took for these beautiful and inquisitve girls to open up instantly and want to use their English skills they are required to learn in school.  “

The Citadel, Cairo Egypt 9-25-09

ABOVE: THE VIEW FROM THE CITADEL OVER LOOKING CAIRO..THE OLD AND THE NEW

The Citadel, Cairo Egypt 9-25-09

THESE YOUNG LADIES WERE SO CUTE AND FUNNY

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

THE CITADEL IN BEAUTIFUL LIGHTING

The Citadel, Cairo Egypt 9-25-09

WE HAD MANY GROUPS OF CHILDREN WANT TO HAVE THEIR PHOTOS TAKEN WITH US

The Citadel, Cairo Egypt 9-25-09

THIS HANDSOME YOUNG MAN IS AN ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER AND I GAVE HIM MY CARD.  HE IS GOING TO SEND ME SOME OF THE PHOTOS HE TOOK TODAY.  A WONDERFUL GUY WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE i’M CERTAIN!

The Citadel, Cairo Egypt 9-25-09

THIS GIRL WAS SO SWEET .  A BIT SHY BUT SHE FINALLY APPROACHED US.  IM SURE GLAD SHE DID!!!

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

THE COPTIC MUSEUM WAS ACTUALLY FIRST IN THE MORNING AND A STUNNING DISPLAY OF THE HISTORY AND ARTIFACTS OF THIS INCREDIBLE CHURCH EXCAVATION.  BOTH STEVE AND i WISHED THE CAIRO MUSEUM HAD THE MONEY AND CURATOR THIS ONE DID.  OMG WHAT A STELLAR JOB OF KEEPING ALL THE TEXTILES AND PAPER ITEMS IN CLIMATE CONTROLLED DISPLAYS.

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

THE OTHER IMPRESSIVE PART OF THE MUSEUM IS THAT WALKING THOUGH THE HALLS OF THE  CHURCH YOU TRULY FELT TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME AND COULD ALMOST  HEAR THE VOICES AND FEEL THE BREATH OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED, LOVED AND WORKED DURING THAT TIME IN OUR WORLD HISTORY. IT SEND CHILLS UP MY SPINE .  hIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITO ANYONE TRAVELING TO EGYPT.

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

i LOVE THIS ONE.  ….IT’ WAS A SNAP AS I WALKED BY SHOT AND IT REALLY TURNED OUT PRETTY

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

FUNNY GOATS WERE EATING GARBAGE BEHIND THE MUSEUM.

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

STEVE WAS ACCOSTED BY SOME BOYS WHO WANTED HIM TO PLAY SOCCER.  I HAVE A WHOLE SERIES OF PIX OF THEM GOING FROM PLAY TO “WORK” AS THEY DEMANDED MONEY FOR THEIR PHOTOS AND PLAYTIME.  iT’S SO SAD TO SEE THE KIDS BROUGHT UP HAVING TO DO THIS SORT OF MANIPULATION TO MAKE ENDS MEET.  wE SEE IT EVERYWHERE WE TRAVEL.

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

STRAY DOGS GROWLED AT US AS WE WALKED BY.  MOST CERTAINLY DESCENDANTS OF THE PHAROAH HOUNDS AND BASENJI

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL AND SO COLORFUL!!  I’VE BEEN TAKING A BUNCH OF CLOTHING PHOTOS.  RASHA TOLD US NO ONE HERE HAS CLOTHES DRYERS. …THERE IS NO NEED .  I HUNG OUT A SHIRT I WASHED THIS MORNING AND IT WAS BONE DRY IN ONE HOUR!!!   I WONDER WHAT MY SKIN WILL LOOK LIKE  BY THE TIME WE COME HOME.  EEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

IN OUR TAXI ENTROUTE TO THE COPTIC MUSEUM

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

WE DECIDED TO HIKE THE ALLEY BEHIND THE MUSEUM.  IT WAS FILLED WITH GARBAGE.  WE WERE TOLD WHEN THE THREAT OF SWINE FLU HIT THE MEDIA FRENZY DROVE THE CITY TO KILL ALL THE ROGUE PIGS THAT ATE THE GARBAGE. NOW WITH NO PIGS LEFT THE FEW GOATS CAN’T KEEP UP IN COMPARISON AND THE GARBAGE IS STARTING TO PILE UP.  WHAT A TERRIBLE SHAME THERE WAS SUCH AN OVER REACTION.

In and around the Coptic Museum, Cairo Egypt 9/25/2009

THE LOCALS ARE SO SCARED OF LOSING THEIR TOURISM INDUSTRY.  i FEEL SO BAD FOR THEM.  BETWEEN THE ECONOMY AND THE SWINE FLU SCARE THEY REALLY ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME AT THE MOMENT.

Me and my new friends at the Citadel, Cairo Egypt

And a little girl talk to end  today’s update!! More tomorrow as we go shopping for goodies and a trip to the botanical garden.  Luv ya’ll …Thank you so much for your comments and emails you guys!!!

Luv Sandra

AMAZON ASSOCIATE

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Copyright © 2024 Sandra Miller

About Sandra Miller

My name is Sandra Miller and I love to ART. I enjoy my studio and home in beautiful Portland Oregon with my husband Steve and our charming Finnish Lapphund dog named Ihana