EGYPT
CAIRO
Mosques are abundant.  They line the narrow alleys, and all their beautiful details are mixed with the daily life here, almost too ordinary to be noticed.  Never knew that Islamic architecture could be so imaginative and inspiring.  Adding on top of all this is the liveliness of the people living here.  You can feel the pulse of life.














































































































































































































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The beautiful Mosque of al-Hakim lies right inside the northern city wall.  Al-Hakim is the third Fatimid ruler of Egypt, and he is said to enjoy patrolling the streets on a donkey called Moon.  The mosque was completed in 1010, and has been used for many other purposes than as a place of worship, including prison, stable, warehouse, boys school, and madhouse.
A naughty girl, she just wanted to follow me around  :)
This is Khan al-khalili, the most touristy market in Cairo.  Look at all the sheesha shining.  They are waterpipes for smoking.  Egyptians love to sit at a coffee house, have a cup of sweet tea, and smoke sheesha.  I worry for their teeth, though.
Bab Zuweila was built in the 10th century.  The two minarets atop the gate, however, belong to a neighbouring mosque and were added 330 years later.
Behind the guy in red, do you see little openings at the bottom of those metal 'windows'?  They were used to distribute food and drinks to poor people.
It seems to me that in Egypt, many kids start to do business at a very young age.  No wonder Arabic people are well-known for being smart businessmen.  However, I do hope the kids are only doing so during their break and will be able to finish school.