There's got to be more than costumes

Alo to everyone wherever you are! I can't believe I'm on my fourth day in Cairo. I've covered a lot of ground--literally--in the past four days. By plane, taxi, camel, subway, and boat, I'm well on my way to a journey that will be like none of my previous journeys to Egypt, for this time it's Cairo on a shoe string!
During my previous trips in 2004, 2005, and 2007 I've come with mucho savings and a clear purpose: buy fabulous costumes, watch dancing, buy costumes, take dance lessons, find great music, and find great costumes. I'm proud to say I fulfilled those goals to the fullest! I tell you what, Egypt is a cheap place to travel--unless you are a dancer. Lessons, shows, and costumes are not cheap. You could easily spend hundreds of dollars a day if you share those goals--and I sure did in '04, '05, and '07. I'll be happy to show you my collection of fabulous costumes bought in Cairo and hours upon hours of recorded lessons and shows. This trip, however, was planned in less than a month! When my friend and dance student Yun invited me to be a part of her documentary film in Israel and be her guide in Cairo, how could I say no? I worked my butt off for three weeks to earn enough cash to cover expenses in Cairo and Jerusalem. But without money for costumes, shows, and lessons, what else can I do the rest of the time? As my aunt Martha astutely pointed out, "Most of the people in Cairo live on a shoe string. I'm sure you'll manage." I figure, with a population of over 18 million people, a history of over 4000 years, and a reputation as a city that never sleeps, there's got to be more the Cairo than costumes! I'm determined to find out!