I went today, and it’s very nice. What did I see?

Breathtaking swords and other diplomatic gifts made over the centuries to Egyptian rulers. The gifts come from other Arab nations, from Europe, from Turkey and Russia, from Japan and Asia…the swords are inlaid with diamonds and rubies, or sheathed in solid gold scabbards engraved with Koranic verses. There are Yemeni jambiya, Japanese katana and French swords.
This was the most outstanding part for me. Like really really amazing.

Also, it’s a large arms museum in general (guns through history, not that exciting) , A LOT of silverware, such as what seem to be tall and large ornate sculptures of silver, fully in 3D, depicting fantastical Gothic scenes, labeled “fruit tray.”

Also, a lot of Presidential items, gifts, and documents.

The palace itself is impressive, as are the gardens on the grounds. It is not a tourist hot spot, surprisingly, so go and enjoy a tour of the Abdeen Palace in relative quiet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdeen_Palace

The Opera house, shows almost daily, and superspecial shows fairly often.

Across the street is a botanical garden, and neighbouring this is Mahmoud Mukhtar museum – a small but beautiful collection of sculpture by the Egyptian Mukhtar.

Also, there are galleries within the Opera House compund itself, notably, a Modern Art Museum that takes much longer to see (I spent hours and haven’t seen it all.)

Now I’ve visited Alexandria…ahh, so worth it. I belong near the sea. See my Alexandria story here

Hopefully, I’ll get to see Dhahab, and maybe even do a Luxor/Aswan cruise before my time in Egypt is up.

In the city of Cairo, I want to do two things in Zamalek (Fish Gardens and Pharaonic village – cheesy, I know) , and then next weekend going to see La Boheme at the Cairo Opera House. Who knows, maybe I’ll see Sawy before leaving, and maybe I’ll return to the Pyramids for some golf and to see my teacher and his family and to see the Light and Sound show. Only three more weekends…