'Don't make eye contact!'

It was an early start today as I cross over the hump of week 3 and make my way towards the weekend.

I booked a walking tour to get to see some of old Cairo and get a flavour of what the city must have looked like, as Cairo now is huge, sprawling, and full of modern office blocks, banks, and hotels.

The guide, Michael, collected me at the Cathedral gate and we drove the twenty minute distance to the old town.

The first stop, after meeting the other tour participants, was the large mosque of Al Hakim. It dates to the 11th century and is still in use today.

As it is a place of worship, we respectfully removed our shoes before entering the stunning heat of the courtyard. 

Thankfully, there is a cloistered area which provided some shade from the 37c sun.

There is a large fountain in the centre of the courtyard, for washing one's feet and hands (I was tempted to sit in it - but I feel that may not have gone down well), and then a large carpeted area where worship takes place.

It is huge, and holds about 10,000 people - although there are never that many in attendance!

We then made our way to a 17th century merchant's house, which is finished in the Ottoman style. 

It is built as a Riad - many rooms off a central garden and courtyard, which once had a fountain.

The rooms are screened, to allow air in, and each room has a purpose.

Of course, there is segregation of men and women within the house itself, although they all lived in relative luxury with many servants and conveniences.

There is even a Turkish bath upstairs, with adjoining massage room! It was clearly the house of a very wealthy person. These rooms even had coloured glass set in the ceilings to allow light in!

We then visited two more smaller mosques, neither of which are currently in use.

And then it was off to the market area, which is a trial in itself.

Michael said 'Don't make eye contact, and don't answer them, or they'll never leave you alone!'

It was good advice, and harder than it looks!

Most of the shops are filled with the usual tourist nonsense, and quite a lot of miniature pyramids, sphinxes, etc.

The atmosphere is good, however, and a visit is recommended!

We managed to get through unscathed, and then it was off to a small cafe for lunch.

I had a savoury Egyptian Pancake with tuna, which was delicious, but huge. So, I had to admit defeat!

We were dropped back to our respective hotels and I took an hour to shower and freshen up. 

Badly needed!

I then went to the office and did some work for the Bishop. Some thoughts on 'neo-colonialism from an Irish perspective', with particular reference to the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1870. 

I hope he finds them interesting and somewhat useful.

Now its off to read over the service, and my sermon for the weekend masses!!