European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 02, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Amp a Oan ancient land of endless contrast j by Leah Larkin a features editor a Quot a a a a ,. Screeching honking cars Careen in every direction past crumbling hovels and piles of garbage modern hotels and sleek office buildings pasta smiling boy pushing a cart of Lemons an old Man Riding a battered Donkey. Layers of thick grime cling to everything. The air is. A heavy with foul fumes.  Are people wearing Long Robes their Heads wrapped in cloth others in filthy tattered clothing and still others in business suits. Welcome to Cairo crazy chaotic Cairo. Egypt s largsf1 City of 16 million was the first Stop on a two week l University of Maryland tour of the country in january. This is the third world Quot a member of the group remarked As the bus fought its Way through the insane traffic to the hotel. Quot it look bombed out Quot someone else said. The filth and the poverty of this country Are a Shock to travellers whose previous itineraries have taken them to places such As Washington d.c., Florida Paris and Rome. A a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a. A a a a. Quot a. A a a a a everything is different so different that it can be intimidating even frightening. Egypt also belongs to the Orient. Its islamic culture with mosques and minarets haunting Calls to prayer and Labyrinthine bazaars makes it even More foreign to westerners. But in Egypt it does t take Long to see beyond the strange and ugly to notice the faces that Are Quick to smile and the eyes that sparkle with life. It s not Long before experiencing the friendliness and hospitality of people who a matter what their circumstances seem to exude happiness. A. Quot Happy new year. Welcome to my country Quot we heard Over and Over. Quot Welcome. Have a Nice visit in my  Quot where Are you from you Don t want to buy. It s of. You can look  at a Quot fast food Quot stand in the Bazaar in Cairo i gave a Man 2 pounds 65 cents for a bag of 10 falafel a tasty Middle. Eastern snack stripes Magazine May 2, 1991