January 6, 2011 1:34 AM

Our group has arrived in Cairo safely.  By the time we arrived at the Hotel Santan in dowtown Cairo it was after 11 PM Cairo time.  I realize that while I'm writing this blog most of you are just finishing up your work day or having dinner. 

Tonight after we had dinner at the hotel a group of four of us ventured out to a nearby market to buy water.  As we were leaving the market a guy in our group was approached by an Egyptian man named "Tony" who wanted us to follow him to his shop "around the corner"...bear in mind at this time it was after midnight here.  We indeed did follow Tony to his little shop...several blocks away.  It was a quaint little gift shop full of beautiful papyrus artwork and other items.  We were warned that there would be individuals who would try to get us to follow them to their shops.  We felt safe enough in out little entourage.  Tony was indeed wanting to wheel and deal.  But more than anything he was a very gracious and hospitable man.  He even walked us back to our hotel to make sure we didn't get lost.  I may go back and look more closely at a papyrus painting I liked.  Tonight however...I left with a souvenier for my brother.

Tomorrow...we're off to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx as well as The Egyptian Museum as we are introduced to Modern Cairo and Egypt's religious legacy.  Stay tuned...