As our flight left at 8:10, we found the 6:00 Dubai Metro start-up time a bit too late. So, we rolled out to the road with our bags to catch a taxi to the airport. The fleet is run under some transit authority now and the early morning ride cost the same as it would have back in the 1990's.
The flight was nondescript and that's a good thing when flying. I watched the in-flight information to see that we did fly over the Sinai and not far from the recent downed Russian airplane. I felt perfectly safe. Media really does twist perspectives of true, actual danger. If statistics alone were used, those who keep telling us to be careful, would be a little more nervous about staying home.
We are now two time zones behind Dubai, meaning we will be ten hours ahead of Vancouver time for our winter here. Getting out of Cairo airport took extra time, but our driver was waiting for us. The drive to our downtown hostel was typical for the city. That means lanes are to be completely ignored and the bravest driver gets to the destination first. (Unless, that bravery turns into tragedy. The guys at our accommodation remembered us, although we were last here in the spring of 2014. We even ended up in the same room.
Ah, downtown Cairo! It has an energy about it. We found our favourite restaurant of the area. We took a nap in the afternoon and it ended up being longer than expected.
In the evening, we joined the throngs on the streets. Talaat Harb is the fashion street so it's really busy regardless of the day of the week.
We have three full days here before we take the train to Luxor.
