Egypt is an amazing country, and it is as varied as its people.  Sometimes I think that people just see the beauty in big things, and forget to look past at everyday things, to find beauty.  We all know the pyramids, the sphinx, a cruise on the Nile, and a mosque are going to be spectacular, but below you will find some things that are also spectacular in an ordinary way.

When we entered the Mosque of Mohammad the rugs on the floor were beautiful, but the lights hanging overhead were beyond spectacular.  At one time it was only lite by candles, it must have been magnificent.

[1]

We see children everywhere, but sometimes they become invisible.  Especially in a country where there is so much poverty.  This little boy was with his mom, watching people eating in a restaurant.  They were waiting outside of a gift store that we were taken to, and she was begging for money.  I saw such despair in her eyes, such hopelessness, but  I also saw a woman with dignity.  She was beautiful, and so was her son.  Beautiful in a different way, but beauty all the same.

[2]            [3]

 I also took a picture of this woman below.  She was so elegant.  She was covered in the Muslim way, but showing her face.  She was so pretty, and refreshing.  It was hot outside that day, and dirty, and the rest of us were sweating, but not this woman.  She looked calm, cool, and totally unruffled. Ahh, but to look so good, when you are feeling really hot, and to do it with lots of clothing on.  I, of course, was wearing jeans, a long sleeved shirt, tennis shoes, and a hat, and was really not looking half as glamorous as this woman.

[4]

Cairo was an interesting city, full of opposites, high rises, palaces, hotels, and restaurants, all extravagant, beautiful, and expensive, and so much poverty.  It makes the poor in Mexico look rich.  I am happy that we got there before all of the rioting started.  It helps me to understand what is going on there today.