Embassy Issues

After we got back to Cairo, one of the excursions high on my list was to go visit the pyramids of Dashur. But first, Kelly had to go to her US embassy appointment.

Kelly Pierce may tell this story a bit differently than I do, but believe me, my story is the right one. So the US embassy is about two blocks from Tehrir Square (It was all in an upset that day as well) Half the roads are blocked off because of the raging protests so our cabbie drops us a few blocks from the embassy and tells us how to get there. We walk, and walk past some shops and past the riot police, with guns, hiding behind rolling metal shields. You know, no biggie. So we get to the embassy and the guy outside looks at us and this conversation commences:

Embassy guy: You have an appointment?

Kelly: Yes! Here’s my paper.

Embassy guy: Ok, you can go on in.

Kelly: Can my friend come inside and wait for me? She’s an American citizen.

Embassy guy: no

Me: I have my passport. I can show you.

Embassy guy: no

Kelly and I then convene about my safety if I waited outside for her. I reassured her, though I was pretty unconvinced myself.

Kelly: Ok, I’m going to go in. (To the embassy guy) But you HAVE to watch out for my friend.

Embassy guy: Don’t worry! I will watch out for her and keep her safe. No problem.

Kelly enters the building. Embassy guy looks at me with dead eyes.

Embassy guy: You have to wait across the street.

Me: Um, what?

So I trucked my sorry butt across the street, sat on the curb and glared for a bit. It was cold and my butt went numb. I amused myself by counting the number of trucks that went by filled with military men and ak-47’s. End number: lots.