Diacovering the city of Alexandria in Egypt. The most western-like Egyptian city

The discovery of a city overlooking the Mediterranean sea, multi-ethnic, modern, probably the most western Egypt.

Traveling through the city founded by Alexander the Great, the city where stood one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, "The Lighthouse of Alexandria." City full of history and charm .... now where are the obligatory visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the strong Quat Bay, the Serapion with Pompey's Pillar, Montezah Park ... and more ....

 

The arrival

The destination is a cosmopolitan city in Egypt, where a mix of cultures over the past years has transformed into perhaps the most unusual cities Muslims.
On February 18, our flight from Rome landed in Cairo, and after a few hours we are in Alexandria, Egypt. With director Dario el'immancabile Mahmoud We expect days of sightseeing and discovery in this city overlooking the Mediterranean. In the evening we arrive at the Hilton Green Plaza Hotel ***** in the center of Alexandria, where it soon becomes clear that modernity is at home here, more of the capital Cairo.

The Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The adventure begins February 19, when after a hearty breakfast, we head into the poorest area of town where you can find, the Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa. To join, now is a routine in Egypt, must negotiate an appropriate price, but once bureaucratic chores, you enter along a staircase that takes you below ground. Once at the bottom, the show is remarkable, especially because we realize how the fusion of two cultures, the Egyptian and Greek is an important element in Alexandria. But not only finds of these two cultures can be seen in multi-ethnic Alexandria, in fact the Romans, Turks and Persians have their important step here, over the years.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa you can see sculptures of Egyptian gods like Anubis or Horus with Greek gods such as Medusa, or Pharaonic scenes, the key to life, framed by bunches of grapes, which usually were used in the representations of a culture typically Greek.
The Catacombs are one of those places where you understand the true nature of Alexandria, which has a rich past history, but unfortunately little has remained to be seen. Perhaps this is the beauty of one of the most evocative of the Mediterranean.

In the afternoon we went on the coast of the city, where he spent a large multi-lane roads, so at Alexandria was conferred the name of Miami of the Mediterranean. This great road always teeming with cars, and surrounded by palm trees, divides the Mediterranean Sea from the city.
The Library of Alexandria was originally the largest and richest library in the ancient world and one of the main Hellenistic culture, was burned in an indeterminate amount of time with his literary treasures, and in 2002 was inaugurated the modern library in memory of that epic.
That brings us to one of the symbols of Alexandria Cosmopolitan, a huge building that looks like a big sun on the Mediterranean coast, a cultural center, a meeting place, a key step for those who want to visit the city. The Library has more than 500 thousand books to his interno.All 'interior does not seem to be in Africa, but rather a modern Western city.
The day ends with a return to the Hotel, and the discovery of an Africa that you imagined.

The Temple of Serapis and the column of Pompei

This Tuesday morning we were giving a bright new day of discovery in Alexandria, after having satiated our desires with culinary specialties from Egypt, we have gone to another milestone for all travelers arriving at Al-iskandariyyah, commonly called by the Egyptians. In the morning we reach the Temple of Serapis and the column of Pompey. This site is located, it seems for the event from one area of town where the concentration of houses is impressive, in fact if you stand in the middle of the archaeological site, it can be seen all around us are only inhabited houses. The Serapion was the most famous temples in the city, and was in the vicinity of the Column of Pompey which is a monument erected in honor of Diocletian, it is 30 meters high granite column One thing that leaps to the eye is like here too there is a representation as the Roman Pompey's Pillar, near two sphinxes, typically Egyptian.
A few meters from the column is our chance to get into a tank, and once fell into the bowels of Alexandria, we had the chance to breathe and see the inside of a major pipe carrying water. Inside, the sounds echoing, and the walls are all relaxed and shaped by the passage of water, the sensation is of being inside a labyrinthine well.

Once out of the tank waiting for us a lunch of meat, between "Felafel" and "kebab" in one of the restaurants in the country.

In the afternoon we expected a visiita of Downtown, between people frantically walking in the city. On the beach in a central, you can visit one of the hotels that have made the literary history of Alexandria, the Cecil Hotel, mentioned in the stories of Durrell.La his greatest work, a series of novels called "The Alexandria Quartet", composed by four novels, cites many places in the city, Café Pastroudis, the Cecil Hotel in fact, the pharmacy located a few meters, in short, a fundamental step for lovers of literature.
By now the sun is near and perhaps most beautiful thing is to enjoy it from the seaside. Observe the sky turning red and the fireball disappears behind the houses on the coast of Alexandria is one of the images that remind of this city.

Fort Quat Bay and the fish market

Beginning this Wednesday begins with the classic breakfast of mango juice and croissants various types, typical of large hotel buffet, accompanied by Egyptian sweets of various kinds among which the highlights are "muhalabiya" and "ill-om." In short, slim is not the goal of these days.
We are preparing to visit a must for all those who decide to explore Alexandria.
On the tip of the coast we find the strength of Quat Bay, which stands on the ruins of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Lighthouse of Alexandria. He had a height of 135 meters and could be seen 50 kilometers away, probably collapsed in an earthquake, and today the foundation is incorporated in the fort just Quat Bay in the fifteenth century. Once inside you feel like a Lego, this structure of English Nature, is another of the construction with Egypt has nothing to do but to Alexandria, I learned that anything is possible. Remains of guns pointing to the sea, windows that protect from invasion and towers guard the port of Alexandria. Once you reach the highest point of the fort has a beautiful view of the port of Alexandria with his craft and fishing boats moored a few meters from shore.

We just talked about fishing and so the environment reminds us of fishermen, and which place is better, if not the fish market to experience the real marine life of this city.
In the afternoon we just slipped in fish market, which frankly leaves us a bit perplexed, because almost walk without fear among fishermen scarred, Marian tested by the weather of the sea sometimes looks very reassuring. On the ground there are pools of blood, I guess fish, cats that wander around, large hooks hanging here and there, and an almost overpowering smell of fish, men sitting on chairs that you stare without speaking. In short, a Marine among the most extreme. When there we realized we headed toward the exit, fortunately without a scratch ... now was clear to me why our Hasny Mahmoud and (the other Egyptians) along with the driver waiting for us outside. Outside the hideout of the sailors on the road, there are fishermen who, with their more sociable banquet filled with fresh fish, catch of the day, we offer the best dishes of the Mediterranean, at very low prices.

After being among the fish, we got hungry, and we have thus reduced to eating in a place where we have filled with meat and appetizers, even if we begin to wonder if a great lunch of fish was not appropriate, here in capital of the Mediterranean Sea.
But our mahmoud promised us a surprise typical in the days to follow.

The day ends in another of those places off limits, that is, those places where Mahmoud does not enter, and then is a symptom of danger. The shipyard is an interesting experience because you find yourself nestled among dozens of vessels under construction or being completed, men who work horse of the holds seemed to be in the game Monkey Island, in the level of the port (sorry to those who have never felt the breeze of this game for 90 years, I recommend it.) Besides, for those about to buy a yacht, I advise you to source here, I think we have very competitive prices.
After this day on the coast are preparing to return to the hotel the next day waiting for new adventures.

The Alexandria national museum

The day today, I can define in more school days of the trip, in fact, we headed to the National Museum of Alexandria, which also incorporates the parts of the Greek-Roman museum which is being renovated. E 'set within a beautiful Italian-style villa, restored with care. The historic beauty that can be found in here are many, is divided into floors and each is devoted to a civilization. You pass it by the Greeks to the Romans, Egyptians, Arabs.
Greek roman interesting part, where you can admire the coins depicting Cleopatra, and the legendary bust of Alexander the Great as well as a series of amphoras and findings suggestive rooms dedicated to the Egyptian people, you can find jewelry, sculptures of gods and papyrus depicting life at the time of the pharaohs. While in the Arab goes from carpets to objects of worship of people from the Middle East.

The day ends with a ride for shopping, and for those who love souvenirs, I recommend some of the local products to buy, although we must admit that Cairo is the most convenient and given respect. (Not for nothing my purchases I ever made in Giza, in the pyramids)
In Alexandria, however you can find papyrus, storage boxes, beautiful mother of pearl, jewelry in silver and gold symbols depicting Egyptians are very beautiful. These I think are the most distinctive items that you can find in this city.

Montazah Park and the Beaches

Today we have the go through all the coast of Alexandria extends about 20 km, here through all the most popular beaches for beach lovers, arriving at the famous Miami Beach. But before we cover the whole coast coming to the end of Montazah Park, a beautiful protected park, where you enter a toll costs, but it's worth it. A huge palm trees and vegetation, leading to the port of Montazah where there is a small lighthouse, and the weekend the couples and families spend their time sitting on the rocks near the sea.
The atmosphere here is quiet and relaxing, you're surrounded by nature and the landscape is very rewarding. If we wait for the sunset you can see the red fire that gives Alexandria between the palms of the park. Not far from the marina is the summer residence of President Mubarak of Egypt, a huge palace that has nothing to envy to the castles of Kings and Queens.
We walk after visiting the park one by one all the beaches on the coast, from Montazah beach, one of the smartest, because a fee, we see Cleopatra Beach, Miami Beach and all 20 beaches covering 20 km of coastline.
At nightfall, the city is transformed and lights, see the coastline turns, forming a half moon, is all lit up a show. Turning next to the library when you realize both modern Alexandria, a huge structure with lighted windows, outside a ball with phosphorescent streaks emanate a light blue sea, which stains the outside of the square where stands the library.
And finally the picture at night, it is inevitable the view of the harbor, with all its ships at berth, with the fishermen who prepare the equipment for night fishing.

Coptic monasteries of Uoadi El Natrun

We arrived the day of travel, because this route rather quiet regarding the move, is a stop in El Uoadi Natrun, 70 km in the desert south of Alexandria.
We are moving in the morning and travel to these Coptic Christian monasteries. Here the Christian minority has stabilized several years ago, and Coptic priests still live there and breathe an air that is detached from modern Alexandria. Living in contact with these communities you away from many earthly things, which normally exist for us. They dedicate their lives to prayer, is a world apart, but they are very welcoming to visitors. See these Christian communities, rooted in a Muslim is always a feature that leaves its mark. We decide to visit two of the Coptic monasteries, and being a day of prayer are many faithful who celebrate the various saints of the Church present. An interesting peculiarity is that, unlike us, they pray before a plastic sheet depicting a saint, by departing from our prayer to the cross. Even the cross that Coptic priests wore is different, because the base you see a cross but is enriched by many circles at the ends of the four sides .. I happen to live a similar situation in the district of Coptic Cairo, the Egyptian capital but the feeling is of being in a neighborhood, unlike the monasteries of Uoadi El Natrun, giving the impression of a choice of insulation against the company .

The experience in these monasteries was undoubtedly very strong, and culturally rewarding, sometimes we do not realize many things, if they are not alive and you discover it for yourself.
Enriched by this new experience and we are going back to Alexandria to face the last day in Egypt's Mediterranean city par excellence.

The fish of Alexandria Pastroudis Cafè

The last day we spend in Alexandria to enjoy the city in all its facets.
Finally, our Mahmoud us organize a lunch of fish typical. And when I say it is typical in all respects. Our tool stops just a few steps away from that dreaded fish market.
And Darius, empowers me, going to choose the fish to eat for lunch. Mahmoud I, Hosny and guidance we are preparing to approach the many banquet of fresh fish market.
The choice was difficult, but we eventually fell back on shrimp, Squid rings breaded, and a sea bass apiece. Once completed the deal for the purchase, the fish we were prepared directly from the fishermen at the moment. Who better than they know how to prepare a good plate of fish ....
After following the preparation, direct market access into the kitchen area, there have them wrapped in newspaper (I was a little puzzled them) but being a typical meal I had no problems. With our 4 pounds of fish wrapped prepared and paid only 10 euros, practically, we headed to the Park Shalala, another green park in Alexandria, where we enjoyed our meal, typically of Alexandria, on the basis of a good fish.

Here we made the acquaintance of some nice girls in Egypt, but if they see cameras and photo rooms flee mad. So some advice, if you want to make friends with them, leave them at home the digital equipment.

On the afternoon with hands that smelled of sea bass and shrimp we went to see the house of the poet greek Cavadis, and we were at Pastroudis Cafe, the cafe mentioned novels by Durrel, where we made a beer (Stella) than for Arabic is almost a sacrilege. Here the atmosphere is very English, the place is elegant and very European, yet another mix of cultures.

The trip ends here, another city in Egypt has been thoroughly explored, giving us wonderful moments and teaching new things. We face new challenges in the world and together we will live, bringing the ends of our planet.