by Peter Bartula

Created on: February 24, 2009

Cairo is a city of contrasts. A place where you feel safer from crime than you do in Rome or Paris, but at the same time it is also a place where you feel you are always a target for someone looking to take the almighty tourist dollar from you any way that they can. It is a city with beautiful views from the wonderful hotels on the Nile, but also a place where thousands live in shacks former graveyards because it is all that they can afford.

Although I would recommend to anyone to visit there in order to see the historical treasures and attractions that exist around the world's second longest river, it is not a place for those looking for a carefree relaxing vacation. The tourist trap culture of the poor Caironians prevents that from happening. However, I couldn't help but marvel at the 500 pounds of carved gold from King Tutankhamen's tomb and thought about the craftsmanship that went into the amazing artwork for the boy King's trip to the next world. I stood in awe wondering how workers built a 500-foot pyramid of cut stone armed with only rudimentary tools from over 3500 years ago. Yet, I also left this city of 18 million or so wondering where is it headed? Hopefully, it will evolve to into a more gentile destination where the average tourist can go to learn about one of mankind's greatest civilizations and the many incredible things that they did thousands of years ago while also enjoying what today's Cairo has to offer. It has some of the building blocks in place to get there, but let's just leave it as a work in progress that has potential.

So, go to Cairo, I say. Learn about the culture of this emerging African nation. Learn that this predominantly Muslim city is also incredibly friendly and more than willing to help a struggling tourist navigate through the barriers that a foreign country and unique language can create. See a belly dancer show her amazing talent on a stage backed by a 20-piece band at a show that can last from midnight until sun-up. Sample the cuisine that has origins that date back eons. Buy some cut stone sculptures made from precious pieces of jade, alabaster, onyx, or lapis at prices that are a fraction of what you would pay back home. And obviously, absorb the history of the country that was once the center of power and culture for the entire world. Do so without focusing on the plights of the city, but instead see the many wondrous things that this city by the river has to offer.

My trip time tip 3 to 4 days, then head to a more relaxing destination like Sharm el Sheikh.

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