Was still feeling drowsy when I woke up but the nap did made me feel refreshed enough to go for a walk. When we got down to the ground floor (our hostel was on the 8th floor of a building just beside Cinema Metro), it was entirely a different environment. Cars were on the street sounding horns as if it was a trumpet blowing contest and families were shopping as if it was Christmas tomorrow. We were told that it will get alot busier later in the evening.

We headed in the northeast direction towards Mahattat Ramses (or Ramses Train Station) to buy tickets to Luxor (our next stop). While the original station was built in 1856, the current building of the Cairo's main train station was built in 1892. Upon arrival, whatever signs that were in English seems to direct tourists to the Abela Egypt Sleeping Train Ticket Office, where tickets for the more up-market (and expensive) trains could be purchased (US$60/S$84). Instead, we headed for the normal trains counters (platform 11) operated by Egyptian Railways and purchased tickets (E£165/S$41.25, 1st class, 8 hours). There were rumours that foreigners were not allowed on these trains but we got the tickets anyway.

It was rather lovely to walk in the city especially during winter (about 15-20°C). From the train station, we wondered towards the south before taking the Metro to Midan Tahrir (perhaps the centre of modern Cairo?). The city seems to be filled with people though somehow the pace is not as fast as Hong Kong or Sillypore. When we finally got to the Nile River, it seems more like a large fun fair than a river that had sustained the civilisation of Egypt since ancient times (reminded me of Chao Phraya of Bangkok). Owners of ferries decorated with colourful lights touted tourists (and locals) for rides while the reflections formed on the river from nearby 5-star hotels gleamed as if the hotels were on the river instead. Well, it does provide for a good photo opportunity anyway.