On the Move

In Rome airport on the way to Cairo again. There are direct flights from Bcn, but the first time we went to Cairo we came via Rome and it's become a bit of a ritual, albeit an early morning one, as we leave our house at 4.40am!

When we got off the plane in Cairo, we were momentarily thrown by that comforting autumnal smell, which emanates from the little Barcelona street stalls selling roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts at this time of year. We then realized, sadly, that it was that heady mix of Cairo diesel fumes and factory pollution, giving off a surprisingly pleasant-on-first-encounter smell, which is way way higher than what the World Health Organisation recommends. A new perfume in the making perhaps.....'Cairo Chaos'.

Anyway, we're here safely and in the flat. We had a catch up with my colleague and a late night bite to eat by the pool in 'our hotel across the square'. Waiters remembered us and welcomed us back, as did one of the taxi drivers who came running across the street to greet us. Yes, and asked why we hadn't called him to pick us up from the airport!

Unpacking and settling in and preparation for my course will start tomorrow.