In case you were wondering about the weather for the next few stories, I figure I'll just post the 10-day forecast and see if it deviates at all. Easier to be a meterologist here than in LA, even, I bet.
I arrived without any trouble at the airport, got through customs (the entry visa was either $15 or 90EGP, which as far as I can figure it is cheaper in $, but who am I to understand the trivialities of exchange rates? Anyway, I talked to a few cabbies (or they talked to me), and settled on a guy who was affable and agreed to take me to the hotel for 100EGP. With the exchange rate at 5-to-1ish, I couldn't complain. Anyway, he actually misunderstood where I wanted to go (unless he was a fabulous actor, in which case, snaps to him) and when I showed him written, he didn't know it. Hilarity ensued. Not really - we just took surface streets half way to the pyramids, which was actually way more interesting, if a bit slower. My guy even had to stop for gas, which cost 3GBP and seemed like maybe half a tank. We drove around the entry to the ring road looking for the hotel, and after only stopping twice for questions and backing down a major thoroughfare, we managed it eventually. Of course, he asked for double his initial fare, and, after thinking about it a second, I paid him, happily, even. Now, I know I was supposed to negotiate, scream and yell, etc., but I had nothing smaller than a 100, and I just felt soft today. Maybe this is my way of giving to charity, since I distain beggars.
Updates and complete story after the break.
So I didn't update during my down day, and after that, events just proceeded too fast for me to keep up with. What follows, by way of apology, is a condensed account of the Shit I Did during those last couple of days.
Welcome back!