Spring 2018. It began with a Facebook “Save the Date” for a wedding in Cairo, two months away. I barely knew the groom—so little that I texted him to ask if he’d invited me by mistake. He replied: no mistake, and it’s not a wedding to be missed.
The groom promised a spectacle: 1,200 guests at the pyramids with half the Egyptian parliament in attendance. It sounded like a near-royal Egyptian wedding. As a Mexican Jew, I figured I’d only get an invite to something like that once—so I seized the day and booked five nights in Cairo.
Carpe diem!
This is a recap of that trip—late nights turned into dawns on the Nile, bazaars under the stars, meandering through Old Cairo, mosque and museum visits, and three nights of extravagantly glamorous wedding parties. I hope it inspires you to leap into an unexpected adventure.
Cairo
Cairo was a whirlwind. My time there mixed dazzling glamour with the harsher realities of daily life. The city, founded by the Fatimids in 969 AD and often called “The City of a Thousand Minarets,” sits on the Nile and is one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. The wedding’s extravagance contrasted sharply with visible poverty in the streets. Years of inflation, reduced tourism since 2011, and stagnant wages have pushed many Egyptians deeper into hardship, and you can feel that tension across the city.
Day 1
I arrived at night and quickly bonded with other wedding guests at the hotel. Jet-lagged and wide awake, we decided to explore Cairo on foot through the night. Without daytime heat and traffic, we covered a surprising amount of ground—ending the first night with a sunrise boat ride on the Nile. An epic start.
Day 2
Day two was for sleep, meeting more guests, a quick visit to the Egyptian Museum, and a late-night stroll through Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the nearby Al-Azhar Mosque.
The Egyptian Museum, about a 25-minute walk from my hotel, is not to be missed. Its collection of antiquities is staggering; I spent most time in the Tutankhamen galleries.
Khan el-Khalili: Cairo’s Famous Souk
Located in Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili reminded me of the shuks in Israel. The market is packed with shops, coffeehouses (maqha), restaurants, street food stalls and vendors selling antiques, jewelry, papyrus, spices, oils and artisanal pieces. Bargaining is encouraged and expected—don’t miss the spice market.
Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar is one of the finest surviving buildings from Cairo’s Fatimid era, completed in AD 972. If you visit, note that shoes must be removed inside.
Day 3
After catching up on rest, I set out with my camera to explore Old Cairo. I was lucky to meet Whalid, the groom’s cousin, who had lived in Cairo and acted as an excellent local guide. His stories and knowledge enriched the walk through winding streets, historic gates and lively neighborhoods.
Old Cairo
Old Cairo contains sites from Egypt’s Christian past and the early Islamic era. Much of it is magnificent yet weathered. Highlights include the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Babylon Fortress. After exploring, we returned to the hotel to prepare for an evening felucca ride on the Nile, followed by a rooftop cocktail party well into the night.
Day 4
Wedding day. After a leisurely morning and some recovery time, Whalid showed me around Zamalek, an affluent, residential island neighborhood along the Nile known for its quieter streets, art deco buildings, galleries, restaurants and security. We wandered the neighborhood before getting ready for the main event.
The Wedding
The wedding took place at the Giza pyramids with a red carpet entrance flanked by gold life-size mummy statues. The celebration featured multiple musical acts: traditional instrumentalists, folk bands, legendary pop star Amr Diab, the Gypsy Kings, Motown-style singers and a DJ. An endless buffet offered international cuisine, and we danced until sunrise with the pyramids glowing behind us. It was glamorous and unforgettable.
Day 5
My final day began with sore feet and late-night fatigue, but I was determined to visit the pyramids by day before the Cinco de Mayo-themed after-party that evening—the wedding’s official day-after celebration.
The Pyramids of Giza
Out of more than 100 pyramids in Egypt, the Giza complex is the most famous. The Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the largest, and Giza is home to the Sphinx, one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. These fourth-dynasty funerary monuments have drawn travelers for centuries and remain a must-see. Be prepared for intense heat, dust and the persistent tourist hustle.
The trip closed with a sunrise Cinco de Mayo party—an amusing and exuberant coda to an unforgettable week.
Next stop: Israel!
Useful Info
Country Code: +20
Egyptian Weekend: Friday & Saturday
Electric Current: 220 Volts
System of Units: Metric
Useful Arabic Phrases
Hello/Welcome – Ahlan
Goodbye – Salam
Good Morning – Sabah el kheir
Good Evening – Misaa’ el kheir
How are you? – Ezayak (m) / Ezayik (f)
How can I get to…? – Ezay arooh le…?
How much does this cost? – Bekam dah?
Egyptian Pound – Geneih
I am sorry – Ana assef
Please/Excuse Me – Law samaht
Thank You – Shokran
My Name Is… – Ana ismi…
Number – Raqam
Ok – Mashy
Street – Shara’
What time is it? – El sa’a kam?
Where is…? – Fein el…?
What is this? – Ein dah?