Jan 8, 2024 Tim and Jeff arrive in Cairo

Linda and Henry arrived in Cairo last night. Jeff and I arrived this afternoon about 4PM Cairo time but our bikes and luggage failed to transfer in Germany. Happily we will be in Cairo for several days and Lufthansa says it will deliver the bags to the hotel, most likely tomorrow morning.

Our cab for the 60 minute ride airport to hotel was a copy of a London cab but with full electric drive. The driver was a skilled negotiator of Cairo traffic and refused cash tips, both unexpected. He just wanted a good review.

Observations:
Smog is clearly an issue, looking like LA on a bad day in 1980. Hope the electric cabs catch on.
The city has aggressively built freeways since my last visit seven years ago. Not sure whether this helps or hurts the smog issue but it certainly speed up the ride from the airport.
As we drove through the city the roads were lined with ten story plus apartment buildings. Most buildings were dark with very few lit apartments. Are many not inhabited or are tenants just saving on electricity?

Now off to bed as I adjust to the ten hour time change.