When my boss told me that I have to go to Cairo for short business trip during the Ramadan, while I felt really happy to visit Egypt, I had load of questions and concerns, not only from my assignments, but I had no idea what is do and don’t during the Islam fasting month, do I have to eat breakfast before sunrise? Or can I drink water in the meeting room, etc. etc. and as a World Heritage Traveler, do I have time to visit Historic Cairo and the Pyramids! I really interested to visit old Cairo, because this city is a treasure trove of Islam architectures. With a bit of luck, I managed to have half day city tour to visit Old Cairo in the afternoon. Bad news was most of attraction will be closed early around 3 PM because of Ramadan, so instead of focus on single monument complex like the Citadel, I decided to visit the historic Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatimi Street or shortly Al-Muizz which according to Wikipedia this street have the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world.

I started my visit at the iconic Bab Zuwaila, the old south city gate, its thick wall and beautiful twin high towers were just great introduction of Cairo’s incredible art. With my great regret all the entrance to every attraction were already closed even before 3 PM, so I had no chance to see the interior courtyard of all those grand mosques along the street. After I reached Al Azhar Mosque, the oldest mosque of Cairo, its tall minarets were just amazing breathtaking with each constructed in different styles representing its long history. Then I walked passed the famous bazaar of Khan el-Khalili, the whole market was full with locals who came out to buy fresh products to prepare dinner. While this was not my first experience with the Islamic world’s souk or bazaar, Cairo one was pretty amazing for its size and gave me authentic locals market feeling than the one I saw in Persian countries. Then I walked back to see Qalawan Complex along the Al Muizz, a Mumluk masterpiece. The complex exterior was incredible mix of styles with Greek Roman columns and Gothic door. Its stucco minaret was just a beauty to see. Beshtak Palace area was the next significant landmark I saw; this area has many well preserved wooden lattice box windows called Mashrabiya. These beautiful wooden windows reminded me those impressive similar wooden box windows in Lima. There were so many incredible pieces of art along the street from wooden decoration door to intricated minarets. Walking along the Al Muizz was really made me understand why Cairo is World Heritage Site. Not Only architecture, with many small shops along the street gave this historical zone to be very lively with both sight and sound. I ended my walk at Bab Al-Fatuh, another city gate in the north. After that I went to beautiful landscape Al-Azhar park. From here I could see the beautiful citadel and its nearby mosque, many domes of tombs in the area that called city of death, but the most impressive one was the skyline of Old Cairo of countless minarets which made Caro earned it the nickname 'the city of a thousand minarets.

Not only because of its stunning arts, I found that this Cairo visit was beyond my expectation because of the Ramadan. First, the traffic was light, I could go to everywhere I wants within less than 40 minutes even the place was located in the opposite side of this metropolis. Second, Egyptians were extremely friendly and tolerated non-fasting visitors, eating and drinking on the street was no problem. Third, the late afternoon to evening Ramadan festivities were just incredible with great food and local’s kindness. I spend only 6 hours in Old Cairo and felt that I love Cairo and want to come back to see this incredible city and those magnificent sights again.