Cairo, Egypt. 3 July 1987

The view from the Rose Hotel – my late night airport arrival taxi-driver choice, due to the youth hostel being “closed”. Not suffering from earthquake damage or bombing – just home-builder syndrome. I moved to the youth hostel at Manial that morning.

Later that morning I was suddenly surrounded by “special police” flashing ID badges who hopped out of a car and hassled me for identification and proof of foreign currency. The leader managed to finger 20 quid before scarpering. Couldn’t believe it – whether this was a scam or abuse of power. Quite angry & disappointed – tainting my perception of Egyptians.