BANGALORE: As you step out of the Cairo International Airport, you realise that this city is more than just pyramids and mummies. Cairo is like an ancient book full of mysteries to be solved and lessons to be learnt. The first rule that every tourist should ingrain in their minds is 'Do Not Trust Anyone'. Its not that you have to be extra cautious, but if you have not done your research, then you can be taken for a ride by locals. The city thrives on tourism. Which means there are also a lot of guides offering services on low prices. These guides often recommend places to shop, saying that these are authentic government shops. This is not recommended as these shops are over priced and the guides often get commission from shopkeepers.The first place to visit in Cairo is River Nile. The longest river in the world, Nile is a feast to the eyes. The best time to experience Nile is in the evening. Small eateries, big hotels and cafes line the road running parallel to the river. As you proceed further, you notice small, twinkling lights floating on the water surface. This is the main attraction at the river, The 'Diner Cruise'. A big cruise ship takes you around the river for two hours, giving a panorama of the whole city. The cruise includes a full course buffet dinner, folklore entertainment with music and dances and a belly dance show. The cruise is priced at $60 per person.After the dinner and the show, you can take a walk on the deck. At that hour the dark water of the river shines in the moonlight like a mirror. You are engulfed in the bewitching charm of the city, so comforting yet enticing.After a good night's sleep, the next day you can embark on the journey to see one of the most magnificent sight in the world, the pyramids of Giza. The oldest wonder, Pyramid of Khufu, stands humbly in the middle of the vast deserts of Sahara. If you want to taste real adventure then you can also go inside the pyramid. The entrance of the pyramid is small, narrow with a very low ceiling. You have to squeeze in through the entrance of the ancient monument. As you enter, there is steep climb down. The passage is so narrow that you cant even move your arms or raise your head. As there are no windows inside, its dark and musty. If you are claustrophobic, this is strictly not recommended. At the end of the passage , you reach a large room with a proper ceiling. An eerie feeling descends as you stand in one of the oldest structures in the world, where people were kept after they died. The mummies have been removed by the government and preserved in the museum. In the evening you can see the light and sound show at the pyramids to travel back in the old Egyptian era. You should cover yourself properly as the heat is overbearing and the chances to get a heat stroke are high.To understand the rich history of Egypt, a visit to the Egyptian Museum is a must. As you walk the corridors of the museum, you get a feeling that the old scriptures, structures and stories are talking to you, taking you with them to the time lost.Time has been captured in the museum's Royal Mummy Room, containing 27 royal mummies from Pharaonic times. Here you will witness bodies, 3000 years old, preserved through mummification.If all the history has tired you then visit the biggest market in Cairo: Khan el-Khalili. Its a sprawling treat, with hundreds of small shops placed haphazardly in a row. This market sells everything. You can buy small miniature pyramids, T-shirts and cheap jewellery. Bargaining is recommended to get a good deal. Most of the stuff sold here is not authentic and shopkeepers often misguide or overcharge you. Its best to visit this market with a local. After all the shopping, you can sit at one of Egyptian cafes and enjoy a Falafel, a plate of Koshari (a mixture of rice, lentils, and macaroni) or soft kebabs.After a couple of days in Cairo you can also explore the cities of Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan.This country has so much to offer. Come, breathe in a bit of Egypt.
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