In this first episode of Around the World in Egypt. Fascinating country, Egypt is a leading tourist destination with its thousand-year-old history.

Its Arabic name, Al Qahira, means the victorious and with its population of just over 10 million, Cairo is said to be the 6th largest city in the world.

We begin this journey with an arrival at Cairo airport, one of the busiest in Africa. Be careful and negotiate your way to the city center. It is preferable to take a cab outside the terminal.

The 22-kilometer drive is an excellent introduction to Egyptian life. It will take at least 30 minutes to reach your hotel if traffic is not too heavy. Don't be too afraid of your driver's driving, as Egyptian road chaos is legendary. This trip is a great way to soak up the life of the Egyptians and fall under the charms of the city.

During this trip, we chose to stay at the Ramses Hilton once again. The advantage of this hotel is that it is located in the heart of the city center, a stone's throw from the ancient Egyptian museum and Tahrir Square. The hotel has a swimming pool and a terrace with a beautiful view of the Nile.

The city center is full of historical buildings including the Café Riche. Cairo became the capital of modern Egypt in 1922 and owes its current appearance to British rule. Most of the buildings in the city center date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Belle Époque architecture is the most striking feature of Cairo's streets. The buildings are magnificent and bear witness to a period when the city was cosmopolitan.

Three things mark Egyptian life, religion, soccer and Umm Kalthoum. Nicknamed Es-Sett, the lady, Umm Kalthoum was the greatest singer in the Arab world. Egyptians worship the singer, who died in 1975. Nearly 50 years after her death, she is still revered and listened to. Among her most famous songs, Enta Omri whose lyrics you can hear, Alf Leila Wa Leila, Al Atlal, Siret el Hobb, Amal Hayati. A visit to the museum dedicated to this national icon is therefore a must, even an obligatory one.

Finally, you must stop at the Coptic Cathedral of Saint Mark of Azbakeya. It was the seat of the Coptic pope from 1800 to 1971. The Copts make up about 10% of the Egyptian population.

Cairo has a large number of mosques including the Al Fath mosque. Its minaret is the 3rd highest in the world.

#Cairo #Egypt #Tahrirsquare #NileRiver #UmmKalthoum

Réalisation : Nicolas Asselin
Montage : Nicolas Asselin
Production : Nicolas Asselin

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