Day 9. Cairo

Due to pure exhaustion, we slept very well. Steve was better but cautious about food. Our day began with a nice breakfast and then off to see the home of Dr Gayer Anderson, an Irish surgeon. He had a temporary position in the Egyptian Army as a Major and a surgeon. He loved Egypt and it’s antiquities, thus leaving his home to the city of Cairo as a museum. Not far away was the Hanging Church, in Coptic Cairo or old Cairo. It was an old Roman fortress in Babylon in the 3-4 century BC. After 6 months of battle the fortress fell, the Romans left and the Christians wanted to be rid of the fortress and built their church over it. (The Hanging Church).
Next was the Ben-Ezra Synagogue. No pictures allowed. Very few Egyptian Jews are here so it is no longer functioning. Final place was the Cavern Church of Saints Sergious and Bacchus. The Holy Family left Jerusalem to save the baby and for two years lived in various caves along the way for safety.
Then to lunch and one final round of market shopping. The energy/chaos can be overwhelming. I am sad to see our time in Egypt end. I never thought I would get here and so happy it was possible. Poverty is significant, animal treatment is poor, and health care is limited. There is much need but first they need to care about their country. It just isn’t their culture. I’m so grateful to be an American, so grateful for my freedoms as a woman and grateful for the opportunity to understand this intriguing country and it’s people ( although quite limited). Tomorrow to Jordan!Les mer