Published on May, 2019
Out of all the things I did in Cairo, this was my favorite, and mostly it is because of my guide Suzi. She was wonderful!!!! If I could give 6 stars I would, just for a Suzi.
I made the mistake, thinking the tour began and 8am, not 9am, when the company had confirmed with me for the 9am start. When I contacted them, at 8am, they were understanding, and kindly mentioned we had arranged for 9am.
The tour was great. Suzi had an itinerary ready to go, with a plan on how to get the most out of the day. She is extremely knowledgeable, very kind, and wonderfully articulate about each site. This is not just a city tour, it is one where you will learn and understand the landmarks, the history and even better, why things are there.
She made suggestions all through the tour, where to buy things at a fair price, how to haggle if needed, and adapted my experience based on the things I was interested in. If you are lucky enough to get her as your guide, listen to her, she will take you places and show you amazing things.
For lunch, she asked if I had tried falafel and babaganoush, which I said I had. She asked if I had had it in Cairo yet—when I said no, she smiled, “Then you have not had true falafel and babaganoush.” She took me to a local spot, ordered everything, and the two sandwiches were incredible!! It was great being in a place with other Egyptians, where local Egyptians choose to eat, and not a restaurant only for tourists! And she was correct, I had not had proper falafel and babaganoush until then.
Suzi was wonderful all the way until the end. As a man, and as an American, when I was dropped off at my hotel, I went to give her a hug to say thank you. Which I know better and know is not correct in the Muslim faith; she handled it with style and grace. She didn’t make me feel bad, or awkward, she smiled and gently declined.
Thank you Suzi, for being the best part of my Cairo experience!