This morning we went down for breakfast, ran into Pat & Ray, Carol & Ralph, and Mary Elaine & David; breakfast is a wonderful meal here. No pork, of course, so several different types of sausage, "bacon" and "ham". Incredible juices. Then we came back to our room and took a nap. Housekeeping finally ran us out so we walked down the street (past the French embassy, complete with armed guards who grudgingly nodded when I insisted on saying hello to them). Found a pharmacy, bought the pill that apparently everybody needs for "mummy tummy" and some hair spray, since I can't find mine. The bags that were so delayed in coming in were smaller than I anticipated, so I may have put the hair spray in one bag that got left behind.

Then we walked back, went into the mall that is attached to the hotel and had a bowl of soup. I had a coke, with ice. Wonderful. Our escort told us that ice in the 5* hotels would be safe, but to avoid it elsewhere at all costs. Went to the spa/fitness center to look around. I made an appointment for a pedicure, since I didn't get a chance before we left home, then we went to the casino. It's illegal for Egyptians to gamble, so we had to show our passports to prove we weren't Egyptians. I played a slot machine for a long time on $40, and Mark won $50 playing blackjack.

In a little while, we'll go back to where we had the soup, and have a sandwich or something. It's a far simpler place than where we ate last night, and much more to our tastes. It also has some of the most beautiful desserts I've ever seen, which I'm going to do my best to avoid!