Day 9 - early start for Anzac Dawn Ceremony with the Aussies and Kiwis in Cairo - at the Heliopolis War Cemetery, a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. We got lost on the way there but the driver managed to sort it out and deliver us with 3 minutes to spare. It is a beautiful cemetery and such s contrast to the squalor around it. I found the gardner later on and congratulated him (via interpreter) on the great job he was doing. The ceremony itself was small and very classy - brief speeches from NZ and Aussie Ambassadors, Ataturk’s famous words of reconciliation from the Turkish Ambassador, a couple of short speeches from Anzacs currently serving in the Sinai Military Observation Force and a few prayers. Then there was the wreath laying and it turned out that our enemies were there as well as our friends - Turks, Germans, Americans, British, Greeks, Egyptians, French, even one for the horses. We sang the national anthems of Egypt (I hummed), Australia (I hummed) and NZ, a few prayers and it was over in less than an hour. The after match function was a breakfast at the Aussie Ambassador’s mansion, finger food, croissants, coffee - all hob-knobbing with diplomats, serving military and a few tourist like us. Turned out that the Kiwi Ambassador even knew who I was!! Sure was different for this Presbyterian from Ashburton
We staggered back for a hours rest at the hotel and then off for a shopping tour at the Khan El Khalil Market in the Old City of Cairo. Later we visited Tutankhamen at the Egyptian Museum - way too much bling for this boy. I am completely over museums. Finally it was back the hotel and a few beers.
Tomorrow- rest day - the troops are running out of energy.