Earlier in the new year, I visited Egypt because I had a friend studying advanced Arabic there. Unlike Europe (and like the United States), one language dominates Egypt and the surrounding region. Signs are in English and Arabic, but almost everyone there speaks only Arabic, so having a friend there to help translate was vital to getting around. Most Westerners work with tour guides to help them get around when they visit.
Because I am academically interested in religion, I wanted to visit some of the holy sites of Cairo. The city is important for both Christians and Muslims. Coptic Cairo (named for Coptic Christians) hosts a church where the Holy Family supposedly stayed while fleeing Egypt. In Islamic Cairo, the Al-Azhar Mosque hosts one of the premier universities for Islamic learning. The Al-Hussain Mosque holds relics from early Muslim leaders.
One of the highlights of Egypt, however, was the food. There was a blend of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences, which prioritized legumes, vegtables and flatbreads. Protein came from beef, chicken, and lamb (but I did try pigeon, which tasted like duck.) Food was also very cheap! I could get a three-course meal for less than $7.00.
