Got up at a normal time, checked out of the hotel and went to see the new Alexandria Library.  It was a multi-nation project to build a world class library adjacent to the site of the original Alexandria Library.  The original library was started by Ptolemy II in 300 BC and was said to have housed 500,000 scrolls.  It held the known history of the world for 600 years.  The last portion of the library was destroyed in 391 AD.  The new library is wedge shaped, like a piece of cake on a plate, and has a reflecting pond along the narrow end and on the back side.  It also has a planetarium and a research center.  Inside the levels are organized by subjects with the latest computer science books on the top floor.  It has a fascinating collection of drawings and photos of Alexandria going back to 1473 when the French and British first visited the city.  The notes about them give you a good feel for the history of the city and country.  It seems every country except the US has ruled Egypt at one time or the other.

When we left the library we drove back to Giza where Kathy got in her final souvenir shopping.  Do you recognize the person on the left in the photo?  Its Kathy trying on a traditional head scarf with a saleslady from the Funky All Cotton Store.  Is Kathy going native and staying in Egypt?  Check tomorrow’s blog to find out.