lets try this ...

Howdee all - been having difficulties with this sight access .. so lets see how far I get.

Briefly ... I've relaxed a lot! Eventually got my Visa, found my comfort zone and met lots/most of the other participants. The local touts, beggars and irritants obviously recognise those persons that have been around for a while and their drive to sell, swindle and annoy us has dropped drastically ... our responses and attitudes have obviously become more resolute and confident over the last few days. We tend to joke and comment back as much as they do ... and we all have a lot of fun when we obviously don't understand each other.

Today is a very quiet day in Cairo - the streets are comparatively nearly empty and most shops are closed ... PROBLEM - 'cause I need a bank urgently to buy more dollars. I forgot a stack of it at home and need more for border crossing, etc.

At one o'clock we are have our tour briefing and questions - a good two hours - and this evening the Department of Tourism is taking us on a Nile River Boat Dinner Cruise ... probably not too much boozing if we are starting at about seven tomorrow morning ... yeeha/eventually!!!