Thoughts on Cairo & Nairobi visit (airlines, culture, airport security, etc) (hotel, Paris)

[superseiyan]

- Boeing 777 is a nice aircraft, but on BA now there's apparently two
types of economy? What is the difference I wonder. Anyway, it will be
interesting to see if any airline starts heading the opposite
direction of MORE space and services for regular economy class.
Everyone's been heading the sardine box route, cramping more and more,
but if one breaks away and gives an alternative....anyway, I was
surprised by how smooth the landings were. Are airbuses louder? They
seemed rougher last time I flew to Europe (Air France/Airbus).

- BTW, what are some of the better Euro airlines? I think I'll try
Luftansha and Swiss next time I go out to Europe. British Airways
food is BAD. Very bad. Maybe it's because I was in economy. I like
Air France for their free alcohol, but their high profile relatively
recent safety incidents are a little worrying.

- Security at some airports is shocking. Like the guy at hte seat of
the x-ray thingy was sleeping and at another airport liquids weren't
even checked.

- I strongly advise those that travel regularly to try non-western
cities. This was my first time outside of your typical Rome, Paris,
et. al. I was in Nairobi and Cairo. Different worlds. This was
basically my fits time outside of your typically western cities. It's
strange that being back, things seem almost too organized. Try South
America, Africa, or Middle East.

- I was warned about safety in both locations, but I suspect safety
sometimes is also psychological. I think just being street aware, and
being in groups is fine. I was used to both locations within a day or
two.

- Heathrow is not that chaotic of an airport, I like how airports are
strategically keeping airlines or alliance flights in the same
terminal. Makes connections much easier. It was my first time here,
and I'd expected chaos (because of the number of travellers, not
because of the airport) but was surprised by how smoothly it was. By
the way, speaking of airlines and alliances, which is the best
alliance? Oneworld, Star or Sky? What is the best way to get credit
for the miles that one travels? A credit card, the airline, or the
alliance? I'd like to take advantage of the trip I just had--thing is
I'll try and avoid British Airways on future flights.

- On long-haul flights, the wife likes the window. I think that's
insane. Gotta be on the aisle for long-haul flights....by the way I
love the window for short flights though. This means I often have to
sacrifice and end up in the middle. Anyway, nothing's better than
finding some rows with empty seats. Basically you fly business class
(in terms of comfort, not in terms of being pampered). People go for
the exit row? I think better to try and book in the back so you can
see what seats are open. We had five flights and on two of them we
were lucky to have extra space.

- The "tipping" culture (I don't even want to call it tipping) in some
places is a little alarming if you're not used to it. I mean EVERYBODY
from police to embassy guards to parking garage attendants *expect*
money in their pocket...people want money for EVERYTHING. At the Cairo
airport there's a guy that basically almost wants to wipe for you, and
when you're leaving he's signalling "where's my $$$". You have to be
firm at some point.

- I stayed at a very nice hotel--Four Seasons at Nile Plaza. Probably above my paygrade, but in hindisght I'm glad I stretched a little. Why not? Why should only the millionaires experience the finer things in life? It was a fantastic hotel I tell you, wow. That said, I won't ALWAYS travel like that.
I'd also like the backpacking or hostel thing. I think mixing a
little of both over your overall travels to get the diversity of
experience is best.

- IT's an interesting experience to visit cities without zoning laws,
and also in which poor/slums basically are randomly mixed in with
middle class areas.

- Poor != Sad. I saw some poverty, but also at the same time I didn't
get the sense that people were suffering necessarily. You know what
you know, you live how you live.

- All in all, I realize that people who live like an ordinary lower-
middle class US resident like me, let alone like the "1%" are a small
minority in this world. I am thankful and I don't take it for
granted.