Shifting sands

Street view of Alexandria. [Photo by Yu Yao/China Daily]

Photo ready

The towering Pyramid of Khufu looms over the whole of the desert area with another two pyramids standing on either side, dwarfing me like a little ant. I was enjoying soaking in the atmosphere of the 3500-year-old pyramids and the history of the tombs when I was distracted by the sound of bells attached to camels walking by. Riding the camels were men in white Arab robes and red keffiye. Just like the traders on the Silk Road when Arabians transported goods from China to the West hundreds of years ago.

A camel ride and a photo with the animals costs money, but taking photos with locals costs nothing. In fact, the locals were so enthusiastic about having their picture taken with our tour group that we were quite taken aback.

It began with a group of teenage boys smiling at us and calling ni hao. Then two boys approached to ask whether they could take a photo with us. We said yes and they quickly posed for a picture taken by their friends with a phone - everyone seemed to have either an iPhone or a Chinese brand phone such as Lenovo or Huawei. Next, more locals came and even waited in line to take a photo with us. Many asked to connect with us on Facebook so they could communicate with us in the future.

This scene followed us throughout our time in Egypt.

"My people are friendly to foreigners, especially those with Asian faces. It's their way to show their passion," our Egyptian guide explained proudly.

Well, their passion really made me feel like a star. Even security guards with machine guns would greet me with ni hao and a smile.

Whenever I took my camera out and pointed it in a certain direction, people would immediately pose for me.