Today, I want to tell you a bit about Cairo and my climb to the top of the Great Pyramid in Giza.
When I arrived at the airport in Cairo I knew that my hotel was located near the Talaat Harb Square but not where exactly. I wanted to take the metro in the early morning to Ramses Station and try to find my hotel. I decided to wait outside but that was a little problem. Around 10 people came up to me asking me for taxis. It is difficult to describe, but I do not trust any of the taxi drivers. I thought maybe the driver would take me to a side street and rob me. After two hours sitting around and doing nothing, I decided to take a taxi to my hotel.
Before I entered the taxi I made a fix price with the driver (160 EGP). When I arrived at the hotel he wanted 50€ from me. I eased and gave him the money. These were my first impressions.
Talaat Harb Square from above. To get on rooftops in Cairo in the center is nearly impossible. The security level is high, armed soldiers everywhere. I felt safe but somehow not.
The next day I wanted to explore Cairo from above. From above everything changes. On the streets everything seems to be noisy and disordered but from above it's quiet and peaceful
During my visit the air was never clear. Too many people too much exhaust gas in the air.
Cairo Tower (187m)
During my visit, I met around five other tourists or less. Many people told me that tourism in Egypt is declining. After the Egyptian Revolution, tourists are afraid to go to Egypt. It's really sad because Cairo is such an interesting city with a lot of history.
Now it's time for my favorite part of my visit: the pyramid of Giza. The last standing world wonder. I took a taxi to the area of Giza where the pyramids are located. The hotel ordered me a taxi with a fair price.
It is inconceivable that the pyramids were made without any machines. If you are standing in front of the pyramid, it's stunning.
Walking around in the complex, I was waiting for the right moment to start climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza. When I started climbing, a street seller was standing behind me, but I didn't care. I turned around he laughed so I continued climbing.
At the half point, some people saw me and looked up. That's how the police spotted me. They shouted something in Arabic I think, but I didn't care and kept going while listening to music.
From the very top of the Cheops Pyramid. It took me around 8 minutes to reach the top. Climbing down took me 20 minutes. Safety first!
In the background, you can see Giza. Before my trip, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to go to Cairo. But I am so happy that I went there.
A version of this post originally appeared on AndrejCie.com.
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Gorgeous Images From Around The World(85 of89)
The Tokyo Tower, center, stands amid other buildings as it is reflected on a table at dusk in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013. Japanese companies eased off on capital-spending growth in the third quarter and failed to step up exports even with a cheaper yen, contributing to an economic slowdown that puts pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Tomohiro Ohsumi / Bloomberg / Getty Images) (credit:Tomohiro Ohsumi / Bloomberg / Getty Images)
Gorgeous Images From Around The World(86 of89)
A view of the Blue Ridge mountains seen from Skyline Drive early November 23, 2013 in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. (Karen Bleier / AFP / Getty Images) (credit:Karen Bleier / AFP / Getty Images)
Gorgeous Images From Around The World(87 of89)
The sky changes color over the U.S. Capitol as the sun begins to rise September 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Later today the U.S. Senate will vote on a stopgap spending bill that that passed the House last week. (credit:Mark Wilson / Getty Images)
Gorgeous Images From Around The World(88 of89)
Trees at the peak of Fall color are seen looking out over the Piedmont October 26, 2013 from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. (credit:Karen Bleier / AFP / Getty Images)
Gorgeous Images From Around The World(89 of89)
A picture on November 25, 2013, shows the sunset in Nice, southeastern France. (credit:Valery Hache / AFP / Getty Images)
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