Flight to Egypt

Dave & Jan at Birmingham Airport

There’s someone singing in the room, oh I know why, it’s 3 am and we’re going to Cairo to see Tom. By 3.30 am we’re on our way to Birmingham airport soon checked in and waiting for the gate to be announced. Our flight to Cairo is not direct we go via Frankfurt. No sooner has the flight taken off than we’re being given pecan pastries and coffee by stewardesses and then the flight is landing. Now the fun begins! We only have an hour till our next flight and this time is being whittled away by the non arrival of steps. When we’re finally released from the flight we march smartly through the airport following signs for flight transfers and specifically B32, it’s miles of corridors up steps down steps a mono rail and finally a dead end at a security check point. We have to go through security which seems to be taking ages before finally running to find gate B32, we arrive there breathless just in time before they shut the gate. A long coach drive across the airport tarmac before we finally reach the plane only to be told the flight is delayed as 15 people checked in for the flight but haven’t made the flight! “no wonder” I say but on the bright side there are 15 people slower than Dave and I.

The rest of the flight and journey goes smoothly and at last we’re about to walk out of the airport into a sea of taxi drivers who look like paparazzi, oh to be famous. Ahmed our driver meets us with a large sign saying "MORSE" which helps us identify him, but unfortunately for him, as Morsi the deposed President, was to say the least unpopular, he had many suspicious looks from fellow taxi drivers holding up that sign until we arrived. He drives us to Al Rehab and our apartment home for the next 10 days. We are met by the owners who don't speak much English but do their best to show us around and explain everything. Fortunately Ahmed, who is Tom's regular driver helps out with translation. The apartment is very Egyptian and spacious with 3 balconies and beautifully cool. Tom has also kindly stocked up the Apartment with essentials, including beer and wine, as Al Rehab is a dry city this may come in useful.

Tom, Dave & Jan at City Square, Al Rehab

We catch up with Tom before setting out with him as tour guide to show us Al Rehab, the mall, the food court, the souk and city square before we eat at a local restaurant, El Dehany. A lovely meal of traditional Egyptian tajin and stuffed vegetables before walking back to the apartment and collapsing in bed...