Dance like an Egyptian

Nearly two weeks after we arrived we've manage to tear ourselves off of the sunsoaked beaches of Dahab, a tiny little oases turned backpackers paradise on the coast of the Red Sea. We spent our days in Dahab doing the only things there are to do in Dahab - loaf, scuba dive, play ping pong and drink cheap beer. It was rough.

After mastering the skill of submerged breathing and adapting fully to our new underwater environment we said goodbye to our Dive School. We said goodbye to the Koshery guy who had fed us (read: Steve) many a cheap and filling meal. We said goodbye to our favorite watering hole after one last 'ice cold Heineken.' We said goodbye to the puppies and kittens we had befriended and to our favorite super smiley restaurant guy. I said goodbye to the guy who tried to molest me whilst I was buying jam and Steve said goodbye to the man who always greeted him as "Canada Dry, never die!" We ate at Dega's one last time, the best little dinner in Dahab with a Fatta that will rock your world. And, after all of that, and after paying our mounting hotel bill, we made a break for Cairo.

A here we are! A city of 17 million, a number my brain can't comprehend. It's loud, it's dusty, it's chaotic and in it's own crazy Cairo way, it's fantastic!

When you get past the noise pollution, the garbage, the cat calls, roaming hands, invasive stares, and people trying to rip you off... you find a really genuine city filled with really genuinely nice people willing to help you out and show you their part of Cairo. After an afternoon of back-alley backgammon with a tour guide who didn't want our money but was happy to help us out, we were guests of honor at an Egyptian wedding where we weren't allowed to sit on the sidelines for very long before Steve and I were pulled to our respective girl/guy dance circles and shown a few new moves (which we very badly pulled off).

For those of you keeping track, Cairo is the end of the line for Steve and Brittles. In a few days time Steve leaves for Kenyaaaaaa and I... don't know yet.

To be continued.