Today was my first day on my own in Cairo.  Somehow I managed to make it through alive. 

What frustrates me most about Cairo is that I am aware that when I am on my own, I am always being cheated.  everyone, from the museum employees to the shopkeepers to the cab driver is always charging me 3 to 4 times the price they would charge a local.  While it was somewhat endearing yesterday at the bazaar--of course then I had friends stepping in to intercede on my behalf.  The assumption that since I am white I must be rich, is difficult for me to wrap my head around.  Of course, they are probably right.  But I won't be able to stay in Cairo much longer if I keep getting charged these exorbitant prices for everything.

I visited the Saladin Citadel and the Mohamed Ali Mosque.  The citadel is perched on a hill above the city and has beautiful views... or I guess they would have been beautiful if the smog wasn't so thick.  I stood on the edge of one of the citadel walls, built to keep out the Crusaders, squinted my eyes and was able to the ancient pyramids in the distance.  What amazing history.  I simply cannot believe I have seen, touched and felt these places myself...

 

The Citadel and Mosque and HUGE.  The windows alone are probably 10 feet high.

   

Can you see the Pyramids?