It seems I have been naive as to what a actual culture shock is... I thought my previous travel experiences would have prepared me, but now I realize nothing could have prepared me for Cairo.

There are cars everywhere, the only thing outnumbering the cars is people.  And its not just the sheer number of people that I find shocking, its that they all seem to find my presence shocking.  There is no possible way I can blend-in here.  I'm convinced that even if I wore a burka, people on the streets would still stare at me and know that I was a foreigner.

I know now that no matter how hard I try, I will never belong in Cairo.  Cairo belongs to the millions of people who roam her streets and sleep in the ramshackle houses.  During my time here I know I can't hope to experience Cairo as anything more than a tourist. 

 

The Old City, at sunset.