Regilla at Giza-Though I do not smoke regularly,the scented tobacco has a different feel which one can try.

The guide made a student’s pass for me. That saves you a lot of entry fees. In that one move, he more than compensated his fees.

He also introduced me to the Step-Pyramids of Saqqara which are older than the famous larger pyramids of Giza.

“40 years of history is facing you” Napoleon is supposed to have told his soldiers when they faced the Giza pyramids.

Recently heard the French philosopher Alain Badiou on Hardtalk- “There are many Frances within France. We have the Paris commune but also the history of reactionary suppression of these victories and struggles of the working class.”

The hero of the 1968 barricades was speaking, reminding me of what Rosa Luxemburg’s words. “ ….in a class society each class of the nation strives to ‘determine itself’ in a different fashion”

There is a subculture rife over here, which seeks answers. You meet them in the Cairo cafés. They may not be able to define the answers, but in asking the questions, in their own ways, they try to find new beginnings.

After Saqqarra, Giza, and some ‘forced shopping’ (one has to be a bit careful if you go individually with a guide..it can be tricky, and I would not recommend it. Personally, though the experience was overall a positive one, it would be more balanced if there were a few more persons in the group. Going all on your own is not recommended).

We ended the day with some Regilla