The Tourist

I know I am a tourist. Let's admit that and not pretend. No matter what I try to do to try to blend in and not stand out as if I were wearing a fanny pack, socks and slippers everywhere, I might as well be wearing my "I ♥ the USA" t-shirt and trucker cap.

"Oh, sir, you look just like a good Muslim with your long beard! Here, please take a gift!"

Uh huh, yeah, I am really believing you.

When I travel, I try to learn about the culture I am visiting, their ways, and what to expect. And of all the places I have gone to, I have not had many problems. Language is an issue that can easily, relatively, be resolved. I have not offended anyone by insulting their religion or ways (however silly they may be. Ha!), and overall, have gotten along with most people.

So then why was there such a problem tonight?

I just wanted some damn dinner!

Recap.

This morning, I arose, and packed as I was leaving Cairo and traveling to Alexandria. Everything went smoothly. Stowed my oversize baggage (physical, not metaphorical or psychological), got to the train station with plenty of time (with some mishap as the driver did not understand where I wanted to go, but that was my fault), purchased my ticket with ease, and boarded the right train. 

The Cairo train station

Cairo train station 2

My ticket, to show I am no rail hopper

The view from my train, which, despite this, was air conditioned and not too bad

The view outside my hotel

Walking from the hotel to downtown

A park I happened upon that had much activity

Once in Alexandria, I got a cab to my hotel (despite my driver trying to get me to another hotel), and took a nice nap. If I get up at 4:30pm or so, and make my way into town, I would be able to get some dinner. Heck, I even had a recommendation from a work colleague. It couldn't be any simpler.

Except, I couldn't find the restaurant. I had two possible locations according to Google Maps (and since I don't get reception out on the streets I couldn't verify while on the go), and nothing. Maps worked well enough to show me where I was, and where the two marked spots were, but I couldn't refine a search or get on the Internet.

OK, I will try this restaurant again tomorrow. For now, let's just find anything.

Obviously, I need to filter my search. Here is what I won't consider:

I wouldn't eat that crap in the States

With my options so severely limited on account of this, I began to worry. OK, I didn't, but I should have.

So many cafes and restaurants were open!

They were all full!

They were all not serving dinner!

It was 6pm. 1800, if you will. I have managed to get dinner every other country I have visited at this time. Egypt included. Just the night before. In Cairo.

I know in Chile, the main meal is at midday. Dinner is usually leftovers or snacks or something, but you can still find a meal. And I assume Egypt is the same. But everywhere I went, all I found was tea, hookah, and maybe some chicken. Despite people's attempt to persuade me, chickens do not grow on trees and are not considered a vegetarian meal.

I walked for quite a long time, entered many restaurants, found nothing. Fruit would be good, but I want a cooked meal. I hadn't eaten all day, save for a piece of bread and some tea at breakfast, and the fig newton type bar on the train.

Lord, was the KFC going to be my only option?

Fortunately, I stumbled upon a restaurant that just put up a new sign, with all its neon wonder. I climbed the stairs to find a weird take on the US 1950s diner. The menu was odd, with meat on everything included the shakes (not really, this is merely hyperbole). But they did have a Margherita pizza, which was passable.

I asked the host if they had anything vegetarian, and he offered some rice with steamed vegetables. I asked about beans, and he said he could add those as well. Not on the menu, but a great offer. Yes! He even asked if I wanted white rice or rice with curry (I opted for curry). To drink, lemon mint juice. By this point, I was quite thirsty and tired and hungry.

Some views of the restaurant and their offerings (all the while they played horrible modern American music with weird music videos on TV that did not match the music).

Cafe Santos

Diner-ish feel

Meat meat with a side of meat

Making dinner time fun for the kids!

And the views from my seat:

A busy corner

If I had known a McDonalds was right next door....damn!

Well, I know where to go next!

Eeyore ponders the city

And then my food came:

Pretty, though I don't think these beans have the protein I sought

Fortunately, the vegetables were quite good. Amazing how much oil/butter came out of steamed vegetables

I ate, and I was happy. I relaxed for a bit, and then started wandering again.

Along my walk, I found some interesting sights. Here, I show you:

If you stopped feeding him so much he might be only an XL!

The people demand it!

A store catering to the squirrel population

Something's not right here, and I can't quite put my finger on it

Again, if I had known about this dinner would have been a lot easier

Eventually, at the prompting of my dinner host the other night, and because I felt I deserved it, I got myself a treat.

Ice cream makes me happy

Ice cream makes Eeyore mucho happy!

I capped off the day by enjoying the breeze coming in from the sea. I sat along the sea wall, ignoring the garbage and thinking about what this coast has seen.

The Mediterranean at night

Enjoying the night with a few hundred new friends

And a few hundred more, including the boys who kept posing for each other and the camera

Overall, despite the one set back I was able to overcome, I had a pleasant day in Alexandria. The city seems to come to life at night, with impromptu stores opening on the streets with everything (but food) for sale. People all gathered for social time, and it was a great scene.

Tomorrow I wander some more, visit the sites, see a museum perhaps, and find this Muhammed Ahmed restaurant I have heard about and try their falafel. Best falafel ever, I have been told. Pretty big expectations now. I just hope I find it in time!