Day in Cairo

Today took a taxi to the Egyptian Museum.  What a ride that was.  Picture a motorized free for all.  There were 4 lanes on the highway but there were 6 cars abreast at all times.  Everyone had a little piece of a lane.  That is all they needed. Traffic was moving at high speed with everyone honking to get the person in front of them out of the way.  Miraculously there were no accidents but each car was inches away from the one in front, side and rear.  As the taxi driver said...  There are no rules in Egypt.  

The museum was in Tarir Square where the riots had taken place a year or so ago.  The parliament building was right next to the museum and was completely burned out.  All the windows have been broken out and the outside of the building is completely charred.  There were heavily armed soldiers and police everywhere and armored personnel carriers and tanks lined up next to it.  As one in our group said ... looks very tourist friendly!  Have attached a couple of photos... one is of the charred parliament building and the other is of the barbed wire that is left over from the riot days.

The museum itself had awesome relics from the pyramids.  It certainly was a very opulent period in the history of the area.  They had the mummified remains of several Pharoahs and Queens on display.  In addition, when they placed them in the tombs they would put food and weapons and jewels and clothes for their use in the after world.  If you were their favorite pet you were unfortunately killed, mummified and placed in the tomb as well.

Had lunch in a little cafe right on the square.  There was a sandstorm coming off the desert from the west.  High winds dust and trash whirling about.  Sure hope the wind stops for the start of the biking on Friday.  If not as one of the other riders said...  It will be bloody hell!