Cairo!

I've arrived in Cairo!

The flight was lonnnnnng... on the flight from Addis Ababa I met two awesome American girls who had just lived my African nightmare. They were teaching in a village in middle of nowhere Ethiopia, and were taken from their homes at gunpoint by the government in the night. They were illegally detained and held without cause for 3 days, without being allowed to speak with their embassy or families. No one knew where they were. The Embassy was searching for them, and when they found the students the Ethiopians had already issues a deportation order. They had been held for 55hrs in total, and were put on my flight from a detention room in the airport at the last minute. We were all pretty hungry so we asked for crackers--and got these gem Ethiopian Jets ones...little airplane crackers. I'm aiming to not complain about anything ever again, as I can't imagine living through what these girls did.

Cairo was the best airport experience of life. I've heard horror stories about this place, but I came in at 2:30 am and my friend Leanne organized a car for me. I walked into the airport, and a guy had my name on a card. I went to him, and he filled out all my forms in Arabic and I gave him my passport and just followed him around. He got my visa in 30 seconds and we went through immigration in 60. I wasn't even asked a question. Not one. Just walked though. He carried my bag too. We got to the door and he shook my hand, and handed me off to Khalid, the driver. Khalid took me to a sleek black Mercedes and I just relished the bit of luxury. For the next 30 mins we drove down beautiful roads--the first relaxing vehicular experience in awhile! I stayed in the Heliopolis area at an Intercontinental, which is one of the best hotels ever. They were super nice to me, gave me a late check out, free internet and breakfast...pretty much everything I wanted. I didn't realize til today, Sunday morning, that there is an amazing mall and movie theatre attached! I went on a little shopping trip and picked up a few shirts... I wanted more but it seemed like a poor choice.

I discovered tonight, when I went down for supper menus, that there is a post-work reception in the lobby every night from Sun-Thurs. This reception features free food (WOO!) and drinks...including wine and beer. I snacked on pita and falafel, and ordered fries off the kids menu while watching The Fugitive tonight. It's been a pretty chill night, which I loved. And needed, I think. My only complaint? The hotel room reading. The most recent issue of Egypt Today is laid out for visitors to peruse-- though, I don't think the headline is particularly tourism-encouraging!

Tomorrow Shaloo gets into Cairo, and we start checking out the country. We have to make a, hopefully quick, embassy visit and will head to Alexandria to start the adventure! Can't wait!