Cairo - Land of Kings

Imagine the population of Australia. Then insert it into one city.

Welcome to Cairo.

The gateway to Egypt. Land of the all-powerful Pharaohs. And  the depository of more mystery than any one human could ever digest. The home of ‘Ozymandias’ since Shelly stole our imagination away with... “I met a stranger from an antique land”. There are few of us who will not willingly surrender to the seductive call of this ancient land of mystery.

The translation of Cairo in Arabic (Al-Qāhirah) means ‘the Triumphant’. I haven’t seen many cities with a name so appropriate. Surprisingly, many parts of this colourful, majestic city are quite modern in spite of its antiquity. Boulevards are stately, bridges are elegant, and manicured gardens - lush with the Nile’s rich bounty - are merely throne rooms for the royal and stately Lotus – surely the most ethereal and powerful of all flowers.

When you are in Cairo, go to the Cairo Museum. I know that museums have a ‘boring’ tag that is, honestly, often justified, BUT I urge you strongly to take in a visit to the Museum in Cairo. There is not a more fascinating and engaging museum on the planet. In this timeless place, the museum is where time will disappear so rapidly without your mind being aware of it – not just as you stare in fascination at the golden Mask of Tutankhamun. And you’ll never see another museum as wedged full of so many of the world’s most priceless memories. One small tip. Don’t fuss about the extortionate cover charge to take in your camera... it’s ultimately worth it, pride aside.

A guide is essential in Egypt, and is staggering value, when you consider that standard training for a Tourist guide in Egypt is three year’s university and compulsory study of Archaeology, Egyptology and at least two foreign languages; preferably English, French or German!

Of course, there is usually one reason that drives the world to Cairo. And they stand silent, powerful, timeless, on the outskirts of this large city. Immense shadows that grow slowly more solid as you approach from the teeming city.
When you arrive at the Pyramids, you first notice your feet as they slide into the sand of the Giza plateau – more like powder than sand as we know it. There are many people criss-crossing in front of you, and lots of children running around, yet, you don’t seem to hear them. Walk up to the closest granite stone, and do as millions upon millions have done before you.... look straight up. Right at that exact moment, the magnificence hits you. One would think that standing so close to something so timeless, so majestic, so powerful would make the observer feel.... small. But the effect is so much the opposite.  You realise at that moment, how incredible is the height of human achievement ... and when we attempt great things how long they will endure.

P.S. And if you think that 17 million people in a city is scary... think about New York. They’ve got a couple of million more!

©KM Francis 2008

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