Surprise!

I spent my last day in Cairo wandering around to all the sights that I missed. I walked down to the citadel, built by Saladin, and walked all the way around its walls. I didn't go in as I was sort of burnt out and the guidebook said there's really not much to see there anyway. I made my way back up to the bazaar area, via a different and very scenic route. I have to say that my final experiences of Cairo have been largely pleasant, with the ever-present men offering advice that was actually helpful. My walk went past some lovely mosques, one of which was another "Blue Mosque" (the Ottomans put their trademark blue tiles on the walls) and was undergoing renovations. A gentleman walked me through and essentially gave me a guided tour, and also took me up one of the minarets to get a great view of the city. Naturally he wanted baksheesh, which I was more than happy to give him in payment for his efforts. I then passed through a lovely gate, one of the best remaining ones in the city walls, and on to the bazaar. Another helpful man took me on a tour through some of the workers' shops and I watched them making silk, cotton and wool yarns as well as backgammon boards inlaid with mother-of-pearl, camel bones and ebony. He was ready to continue his tour to other "factories" but once I realized he was hoping I'd buy something so he'd get a commission, I called a halt to it. Still, it was interesting while it lasted.

On the way back to my hotel I was able to pick up some reading glasses to replace the ones I lost in Wadi Rum. I had found some replacements in Aqaba, but they weren't the right strength so I was happy to find these at a street stall. I was attended to by several young men and the flirtations got quite ardent, but it was, for once, all in good fun and they knew where to draw the line.

I am now tuckered out and will spend the next few hours in my hotel room resting, packing, and showering before I spend the night at the Cairo airport. My flight leaves at 3:45 AM and I should be in Dorval by about noon. I have left myself several hours there to clear customs which will likely be a rather trying experience, and hope to be in Ottawa around dinner time.

I decided to come home shortly after my trip to Tibet. I wanted to keep it to myself for as long as I could as I knew that you'd all want to know what prompted the decision and I wanted to stay in "travel mode" as long as I could. Suffice it to say, I feel very ready to come home and am thrilled that I achieved everything that I dreamed I would on this trip. Much of it was very personal, and I didn't feel comfortable blogging about it but it's no great secret and I look forward to telling you all about it.

I hope to see you all over the holidays and am looking forward to being home. Having said that, I am questioning my timing based on what I've been hearing about the weather there :-).

I'll be staying with friends in the Chelsea area until I get myself sorted out. You can continue to use my travel e-mail address to find me until I get a phone number to give you.