Arrived safe and sound

Well, I have made it to Cairo....wasn't sure I would after the hangover I awoke with in London yesterday morning though! Went out with Dee and Ash for a bit of dancing, lots of fun. Planned on visiting the new cousins but it just wasn't to be. Got myself to Heathrow, on a plane and to the hotel with no problems. Got in after 1am, didn't think I had booked a room for last night but it appears I had, thankfully!!!, was pretty wrecked so crashed and got a few hours sleep. Up early as it's really noisy so sleeping in not an option.

Got a taxi to the Irish embassy (had to get a letter for getting my Sudanese visa..all very complicated!). Just wandering around looking for something to eat, only place I could find was Mc Donalds, seriously. not going to happen! I'll keep looking! Stumbled across an internet cafe so thought I'd write a few lines instead.

First impressions of Cairo? Will take a little getting used to getting stared at constantly, had forgotten what it was like to be a tourist! Also the driving here is hilarious (well, in a "i'm not sure if we'll make it out alive sort of way!"). Sitting in the taxi trying to figure it out and from what I can see the driver veering in from a side road 4 lanes away to the left seems to have right of way. I'm glad Fabio's not here.

Everyone warns you about bargaining hard with taxi drivers and not getting scammed. and they are right! it's all very good natured though: I agreed on a price of 10 egyptian pounds for getting back to my hotel. Gave him 100 and he gives me back 60 with an innocent look on his face. You have to laugh, I asked him for more money. I get another 20. He says "I said 10, 10...." i.e. 20... got my 90 pounds back anyway, I presume they think it's always worth a try. and 10 pounds is less than 2 us dollars anyway...

ok...so the next few days will be spent meeting the rest of the trip people, anyone ive met so far seems nice. I have to go to the ethiopian embassy tomorrow and then think we are free till the pyramids on Thursday...we'll see what happens. Still feels a little weird to be here, I think because I booked this only a few weeks ago it's taking time to sink in that I'm actually here!

Will be back in a few days....