Cairo is beyond discussion a cultural shock. Nothing can prepare you for this disorienting place, ingrained in a cultural magnetism that permeates every fabric of the city. This megalopolis astonishes visitors for its twisting and crowded streets, medieval buildings, oriental bazaars, and Islamic architecture. In an odd, but harmonious combination, lie luxurious hotels, sophisticated restaurants, nightclubs, and cultural facilities of every kind. Definitely, Cairo knew how to rise to the forefront as the capital of the Arab world.
Cairo is one of those few city in the world where the hands of the clock never slow down their pace. Life here is lived at a frenetic rhythm, in the middle of noisy honking of horns, crowds of people going in every direction, children playing in the streets, merchants selling whatever you can imagine, jaywalkers, and bewildered tourists. Islam history and Western modernity combine to create a unique array of shopping malls, street markets, and nightlife opportunities. Cairo is also the home of many important cultural centers, prestigious universities, governmental local and international offices, and profitable companies.