Cairo — often called the city of a thousand minarets — was, in many ways, exactly as I had imagined. A city shaped by layers of history that few places on earth can rival, from its ancient foundations to its rich Islamic heritage along the Nile. You feel that weight of history everywhere, pressing gently but constantly into the present.

I was sceptical of the pyramids at first, assuming their reputation had outpaced the reality. I was wrong. The moment I saw them, I was humbled. They are far more astonishing — and far larger — than I had ever imagined, defying both scale and time.

Later, I spent time moving through the city’s bustling streets and relentless traffic. I had been warned that carrying a camera might draw unwanted attention, but instead I was left alone. One shopkeeper even assumed I was Egyptian, which may have worked in my favour. Cairo is a city everyone should visit — not just for what it once was, but for what it still is: a living centre of human history that fully lives up to its reputation.