WARNING: these posts have not yet been proof-read. It’s difficult to find decently priced internet connections here. The actual posting time of these entries is April 22, in Jerusalem – in the Olive Tree hotel… with free WiFi!

2005.04.10

*Pilgrimage Day 1*

Day 1

The trip

Starting from Manila, we left the house at about 3am to get to the airport for our 6:30am flight. We had mass right there in the lounge.

The flight from Manila to Doha took about half a day, and with Egypt being 6 hours behind, we arrived at around lunchtime, where we had to transfer planes for another 3 hour flight to Cairo. I guess what I said about Cairo being one of the places we’d visit was a severe understatement.

Cairo, as far as we’ve seen (Heliopolis, Giza, etc.), is pretty barren and “aged.” It’s like there’s so much flat space that should be developed… and the existing structures are pretty worn-down. The colors most of the structures use are very warm-toned. I guess what I’m getting at, is that in an extremely biased perspective, I really feel like I’m in an urban desert.

Aside from the hotel and airport, we haven’t really been inside any other buildings to tell if the whole “barren, warmn, aged” thing was culturally intended, a government thing, etc. The traffic, dirt, old worn-down buildings and smell remind me of the congested areas of Manila proper.

The hotel

We’re staying at Ramses Hilton, which is supposed to be a 5-star hotel, but I beg to disagree considering the amenities available. But it’s not a big deal since lodging shouldn’t matter in a pilgrimage… but I do care about false advertising hehehe. There isn’t even a friggin’ safe in this room, where the hell am I supposed to leave my Powerbook while I’m out for the day?

Dinner

Our first real meal in Egypt was dinner spent in a place called “Peace AbouZeid Restaurants” (at least that’s what the sign said). The food was good and Pia got a small birthday surprise.

Thank God for Ecto, as I’m able to write this stuff offline and just upload it when I get the chance to connect.

And some trivia, Giza is the capital of Cairo, which in turn is the Capital of Egypt. Don’t ask me why, it just is.

Miscellaneous

Currency here is the Egyptian Pound, 7+ of which, is equal to a US Dollar.