Thursday, August 7, 2008

...To Alexandria

We have safely arrived in Alexandria after a very smooth and relaxing train ride thru the Nile Delta. The Delta is very flat and green and dotted with small villages. When we were in-between inhabited areas, the landscape could just as well have been located in Iowa or Indiana! The area we went thru was mostly dedicated to growing corn.

Arriving in Alex was a bit interesting, because we didn't know that there are two train stations. We got off at the first one instead of going to the end of the line. This meant that we got a little lost on the way to our hotel. Fortunately, we flagged down a motorist to ask directions and he insisted on taking us to the right place. He didn't even want gas money... We're planning on taking him out for dinner to say thanks!

The hotel here is twice as expensive as the one in Cairo but still only $30/night. We get more than twice the value though, because this one has AC, bathroom en suite, satellite TV and a fridge!

This evening we ate at a kebab place kitty-corner to the hotel. The place has great food for really cheap prices... the combined bill for our meals came to just over $8! I discovered a new thing: Fayrouz pineapple soda, which I found quite refreshing. I think I'll miss that when we return...

After the meal, we decided to walk some of it off along the Corniche along the sea. We walked over to and around Midan Sa'ad Zaagloul, which is the main hub of activity around this part of town. There were lots of folks walking and sitting along the wall overlooking the water. The beach right here is rather rocky, so tomorrow we intend to check out the sandy beaches further east.

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