Cairo

I've been a bit obsessed recently with symbols such as the Ankh, Hamsa and Eye of Horus (as you might have noticed...), all of which are ancient symbols related to Egypt and north Africa. The ankh is also known as the 'key of life' and symbolises eternal life, the Hamsa (or 'Hand of Fatima') and Eye of Horus are both symbols of protection. It got me to thinking of a trip I took to Cairo in 2008, so I started looking back through the photos I took while I was there...

I was born in Cairo as my parents lived there for a year, but left when I was still a baby so obviously have no memories of it. I had always wanted to go there so I could see it for myself, and although many parts of the city are run down and dusty I was struck by the amazing colours that seemed to jump out from buildings, street signs, shops etc. We visited the pyramids and ancient monuments, the famous Khan El-Khalili market, the Egyptian Museum, and spent a day wandering around the city centre. The streets and buildings were originally laid out in the late 19th century and were based on 1870s Paris, as the ruler at the time wanted to 'Europeanise' the city. We also visited the Mena House hotel, opened in 1886 next to the pyramids, when there nothing else there. Although the city was not at all what I expected I ended up loving it, and will hopefully get to go back again.