There are iconic scenes that immediately identify a city. You see a picture of the CN Tower and your mind says “Toronto,” as the Golden Gate bridge immediately references San Francisco or the Eiffel tower reminds you that this is Paris.

I’m not sure what building or buildings tells you that you are in Cairo. I’ve been there a couple of times, but it was to visit family. Tourism was an afterthought. I didn’t read any guidebooks.

Which means that as I stood on the roof of the Baron Empain Palace, I didn’t know what I was seeing in the distance. I know this is the Heliopolis area, but I couldn’t tell you more than that. Perhaps I took some pictures of famous buildings. More likely it was just the places that have sprung up in the area during the past century.

Still, I enjoyed the view. I hope you do too. And if you know what any of these places are, let me know.