Can you imagine the feeling upon entering the Alexandria Harbor from Iraklion, Crete in after sleeping on the steel hull of a ferry boat in our sleeping bags in 1977 where signs bobbed in the water that prohibited photography? As we exited the ferry the men who lined the pier wore kaften and kufis on their heads. Their gaze was intent upon the European travelers who spilled into the city to explore the beauty of Alexandria that was known in ancient times for the Alexandria Library that burned down in 48 BCE. We shared a horse drawn buggy ride with our fellow travelers to a family run pensione. We explored the city on foot where I photographed men smoking hookah in #24 who offered me the hookah handle. The smoke was lightly flavored with apple and tobacco and I felt a lightheadedness that stayed with me throughout the afternoon. The family in #25A were relaxing on the street and upon our return trip stood up for their photo. The horse draw cart in #29A with sagging crates of Varatou competed for room on the crowded streets on a weekday afternoon of bustling traffic. We made our way to the train station for a one way trip to Cairo where the tickets were completely sold out. The military guards held machine guns and kept order in spite of the fact that the train station was complete mayhem with people hanging off the side of the train without a ticket. A jitney cab offered us a ride with other displaced travelers where the hot Egyptian sun was beating down on my back for the 3 hour trip on the Cairo–Alexandria freeway. When we finally arrived at Ramses Square in Cairo it was 9pm. One of our fellow travelers who lived nearby and said that his family would welcome us for a late dinner and help us find accommodations. Let’s just say he had ulterior motives and we ran out of the apartment as fast as our feet and backpacks would carry us. The Sheraton Hotel and Hilton were out of our reach but fortunately the desk clerk guided us to the El Nile Hotel which fit the bill perfectly. Let the adventure in Cairo begin in the gallery named 1977 SAQQARA, GIZA & CAIRO EGYPT. The newly updated information on these photos was supplied by the ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΕΙΑ/Alexandria Facebook Page to whom I am very grateful.
#27A: Saad Zaghloul Square, Alexandria #28A The Corniche at Saad Zaghloul Square, Alexandria #29A: Al-Qaid Ibrahim Mosque, Alexandria #30A: Garden of the Immortals Alexandria #32A, #33A, #34A, #35A are in, Mohamed Ali Pacha Mosque, Cairo
