All was OK leaving the airport, but just as we got on the bus we were met by our first surprise in Egypt – it started raining. It started off as a drizzle, but very soon it developed into a downpour. Keep in mind that Cairo only gets rain about 6 or 8 times a year, and this must have easily been at least 8 inches of rain. However, as we approached our hotel which is located in Giza, we were able to get our first view of the pyramids.  Bu this time the storm had developed into a spectacular lightning storm, and we would see the pyramids backlighted by lightning – very spectacular.  But that is not all.  When we were almost at the hotel, it started HAILING!!!! needless to say, this is a very unusual situation for Cairo, and the local people were all out on the street admiring the show.  Typical Cairo traffic was even more convoluted due to the rain, and the fact the city has no storm drains since they do not get that much rain.  Some of the streets looked like they were taken back over by the Nile.

Flooded Street in Cairo