The poor donkeys of Cairo - a dog's life they can't escape

I lived in Cairo for 18 months and needed to adapt quickly. When the 18 months were up I realised just how much I had adapted to the Cairo ways. I had gotten used to the pollution! Pollution of every kind - noise from the incessant traffic (beeping included), air-conditioners, the calls to prayer heard everywhere, people; air pollution from the smoke of spontaneous combustion of dumping rubbish in the city centre dump, dust and sand from the desert winds, the smoke from factories and of course the traffic fumes; water - goodness knows what is in the Nile by the time it gets to Cairo. And of course the people, people and more people - the pitiful donkeys (the poor pitiful donkeys amid the chaos of it all), the heat with everything taking on the orange hue of the desert sand. Driving is the most aggressive I have experienced. There are good things however that one needs only 3 days to explore then get out of the city and venture south. The must-dos are the pyramids, at day and night, Khalil Kalili market, maybe Dr Ragab's on the Nile and of course the Egyptian Museum. 3 days OK, 18 months not OK and I could not wait to leave when the time came - I realized how much better any place would be without the dirt of Cairo. I managed to re-adapt to a less polluted life-style. And finally, why do the Egyptians treat their donkeys with such cruelty? Can anyone answer this question for me

26 January 2008 | meningi_indaba

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A different place from home, but absolutely worth a visit…

When we think about Egypt most of us think about the Pyramids, millenarian temples and the desert, things that we hardly see near home, but we must keep in mind that it’s a Country that has many things to offer, including a completely different lifestyle, specially Cairo. At the negative side is maybe too noisy, too crowded and full of people driving like crazy :P (Really crazy :P). But the amazing living History it’s worth the hassle , weather noise and everything else =) There are amenities for every taste so, if you want to, you can really enjoy it if you keep your mind open, if not, just avoid it and go to a spa to relax ;) The advice is that the effort is really worth it.

Great for: Scuba/Snorkeling, History/Culture

Last Visit: September 2007

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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Cairo - What an AMAZING Place

I lived in Cairo for 5 years and loved every minute of it. The people are great, friendly and helpful, the pyramids and sphinx are amazing and if you get the chance go for a horse back ride around the pyramids and out into the desert on horseback. You must also visit the bazaar at Khan Kalil and take a faluka ride on the Nile. Cairo has some of the best places to eat that I have ever been to and one last thing, Cairo has some fantastic night clubs . I do agree with something one of the previous reviewers wrote, there are alot of beggers, but don;t let this put you off visiting Cairo.

Great for: History/Culture, Nightlife, Budget Travel

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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Good memories of Cairo

I've been in Cairo 15 years ago and I am still facinated about it. We stayed in a Chateau des Pyramides hotel in Giza. From our room we had a view of the three pyramides. The hotel was very comfortable and it was situated in a very quiet area. Outside the hotel the taxidrivers were waiting to take you, for very little money, to any place you wish. We had a driver for a day, he took us sightseeing around Cairo. When we came back to the hotel he said: "You pay what you think it was worth". We weren't in the city that much, but it seemed very crowdy and noisy. Ofcourse we went to the pyramides, in the day but also in the evening when they have a light show on them. It is amazing. Egypt is a very beautiful country with very friendly people (most of them). I strongly recomend a trip there.

Great for: History/Culture

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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Once is enough

After having spent a week on the Nile and having had a totaly wonderfull time visiting the valley if the Kings and the temple at Karnack etc.. I felt let down by Cairo, the whole place seemed tacky, I fully expected to be offered a plastic pyramid. Next time we will return to Luxor.

Last Visit: May 2005

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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I adore Cairo

Noisy - oh my gosh YES!!! It sounds like they have won the world cup 24/7! And it is sooo dangerous to cross the road there. But it is so wonderful - the people are exceptional and great places to eat - and dirt cheap compared to London. I have been 3 times and I still cannot wait to go again. It is cultural, friendly, interesting, inexpensive, amazing. Go to the pyramids - but not in a group and watch out for the guys who jump in your cab on the way - they want to guide you to unscrupulous people - insist they leave the cab or tell the cab driver that you refuse to pay him if they don't leave - you are so close to the pyramids you can walk from there. See downtown late at night it is so buzzing. Get the train to Ismalia and get the ferry over the suez! Go to 'Nile City' it is a multi eating boat - eat at El Tabir in Mohendassin for great foul - or Hilton in Tahrir Square for Koshary. Culturally Cairo is heaven. But take your trainers and not dainty shoes - sometimes it can be an uphill trek! I would recommend Cairo to everyone - and no it doesn't come quietly - it sounds like they have won the world cup every night! Speaking of football - they have some grounds there - go up the Cairo tower and you can see them all. Go go Zamalek!

Great for: History/Culture, Nightlife, Budget Travel, Family Holidays

Last Visit: June 2006

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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Out of this world

It was the most fascinating journey. We travelled by coach from Port Said to Cairo...you could see the desert either side of the Nile. The heat, hustle and bustle were amazing...children and beggars are after your money the whole time trying to sell you things. And the pyramids and treasures are awesome. You must go if you ever get the chance.

Great for: History/Culture

Last Visit: August 2003

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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Pharoahs

I loved Egypt, from the craziness and hub-bub of Cairo to the Majestic Pyramids. The historical temples taking you back in time, the hot -air balloon flight over The Valley of the Kings,spectacular! The workers in the fields, and the fishermen on the Nile, the woman doing their washing on the banks. My most memorable day watching the beautiful sunrise over the sand dunes while all around the echoes from the Mosques calling the people to prayer. The lovely friendly people of the modern yet very ancient Land of the Pharoahs

Great for: History/Culture

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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No place for the faint hearted.

Cairo is another world. Its very dirty and very noisy. The depravation is evident in most all places. I am glad that we went and we had some great experiences but would I go back again? NO.

Great for: History/Culture

Last Visit: November 2007

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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LOVELY HISTORY, TERRIBLE TRAFFIC

I loved Egypt. Travelling from Sharm-El-Sheik to Cairo to visit the famous Pyramids and also the boat trip across the River Nile was lovely (Nile is quite a filthy river though). As much as I enjoyed my trip to Cairo for its beautiful ancient history, I found things were rather expensive in the souvenir shops and that traffic in this city is worst than New york's or London's M25 rush hour traffic.

Great for: History/Culture, Nightlife

Last Visit: June 2007

26 January 2008 | A Yahoo! User

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