Culture Shock and then Culture Shock

I echo Helen's impressions of Lebanon....had just gotten become more familiar with the ways of Cairo only to be hurled into a different country. Yesterday's return was another culture shock and the worst day for being jerked around....first at the airport, then by the boat drivers on the Nile (we walked away from that one without the boat ride) and then a taxi driver who wouldn't take no for an answer when he asked for twice as much as the ride should have been....I think we all wished we were back in Lebanon.

We did have a great time and covered a lot of ground. We had a couple of glitches but survived the bed bugs the first night and moved to a different hotel. Also survived the ride in the unauthorized taxi ride that had me wondering when I should jump out of the car. The buses there have a driver and a person who yells out where the bus is going and rounds up folks to take the bus. One of those with a particularly outgoing ´"hawker" proposed to Helen...Jayanthi thought it was a lame green card attempt, but I am sure he could see Helen's great qualities and was serious.

A 10 or 11year old boy said to me..."Egyptian men....kissy kissy." Last night one said something worse...they learn early.

Off to pyramids....maybe more later.....