This is my wedding anniversary and decided to do the tourist thing for the day and go and see the pyramids and other places of interest, displaying the history of the country. I arranged transport and someone to go with me as I am constantly approached by people when I walk in the street. The taxi collects me and on the way to Giza picks up the woman guide. A very friendly lady. The tour was good and I enjoyed the distraction from the daily writing, reading and thinking. The statues are really huge and the desert a joy - for me it was not hot at all, as I grew up in the Kalahari where high temperatures are the order of the day in summer. The pyramids were interesting, so was Memphis. The constant harassment was deterred by Eme, my guide and a relief as I watched other tourist being followed and constantly nudged by the sellers of 'stuff'. Maybe it is my looks that triggers it off, for everybody here thinks I am German, therefor a rich tourist. The taxi's I take is also problematic, in that I tried to negotiate, but the first time ended up in a dispute with the driver. He charged me an extraordinary price for a 10 min drive to the center. I refused his price, but paid what I thought was fair, and he was not happy. The next day I asked the hotel reception to get me a taxi (instead of me hailing one) and negotiate for me. This was done: about two thirds cheaper than what I ended up paying for the previous day. The third time I asked for a 'metered' taxi- which means a meter indicates the price. The same route: half the price of the second day negotiation with the help of the hotel staff! To me the guide was worth it.
On the way back I asked the taxi to let me off near the hotel as I wanted to update my blog at an internet spot. I did that. I bought some falafels for supper and had one on the way back, trying to avoid the stares and people trying to sell me stuff. To end the day, I thought that I shall watch the match (Spain vs Germany) at a coffee shop and have a mint tea. I ordered the tea, but had to leave as I felt 'uneasy' - I needed to get to a lavatory fast. I power-minced, Charlie Chaplin-style, to the hotel and got to grips with the traffic very fast - and reached my room just in time. I blame the falafel.
The next day I was in my room most of the day. I managed to go and do one interview with a Sudanese refugee at the center with the help of my good friend: Imodium.
The same for Friday - I spent the day in my room recovering. Saturday morning I packed and went to the airport, yes, with a taxi.
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