<strong>The craftspeople:</strong> For Portuguese<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247359"> Jorge Santos</a>, one of the most unique sights from his Egypt trip was a man patiently weaving ropes for sale to locals -- something he had done for years, like his father before him. "He told me he had done it since he was a child," he says.
The craftspeople: For Portuguese Jorge Santos, one of the most unique sights from his Egypt trip was a man patiently weaving ropes for sale to locals -- something he had done for years, like his father before him. "He told me he had done it since he was a child," he says.
Jorge Santos/CNN iReport
<strong>The entrepeneurs: </strong>PR<strong> </strong>consultant <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1248147">Zeyad Mourad </a>saw this young man selling gas cylinders in Cairo - a common sight in a city where fuel can be scarce. "What adds a special touch is the young man's posture and his not shying back from the camera, almost giving a defiant yet accepting look," he says.
The entrepeneurs: PR consultant Zeyad Mourad saw this young man selling gas cylinders in Cairo - a common sight in a city where fuel can be scarce. "What adds a special touch is the young man's posture and his not shying back from the camera, almost giving a defiant yet accepting look," he says.
Zeyad Mourad/ CNN iReport
<strong>The markets: </strong>U.S. expat <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247673">Matthew Tarney</a> enjoyed a walk through Old Cairo's Khan el-Khalili market while visiting in March. "This picture is one of many that I took to try and capture the movement and vitality of the market street as both Egyptians and visitors shopped among the colorful booths," he says.
The markets: U.S. expat Matthew Tarney enjoyed a walk through Old Cairo's Khan el-Khalili market while visiting in March. "This picture is one of many that I took to try and capture the movement and vitality of the market street as both Egyptians and visitors shopped among the colorful booths," he says.
Matthew Tarne/CNN iReport
<strong>The pyramids: </strong>Portuguese tourist <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247654">Fabio Passos </a>captured this lovely image of the pyramids -- and a local enjoying the view -- in Giza, Egypt.
The pyramids: Portuguese tourist Fabio Passos captured this lovely image of the pyramids -- and a local enjoying the view -- in Giza, Egypt.
Fabio Passos/CNN iReport
U.S. tourist <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247355">Brian Wahl </a>couldn't resist having this photo taken at the pyramids in Giza January this year. He moved to the country with his family due to his wife's job, and has been loving the experience. "Even though we have lived in Alexandria for half a year, there is still not a day that I don't hear someone welcoming me," he says.
U.S. tourist Brian Wahl couldn't resist having this photo taken at the pyramids in Giza January this year. He moved to the country with his family due to his wife's job, and has been loving the experience. "Even though we have lived in Alexandria for half a year, there is still not a day that I don't hear someone welcoming me," he says.
Brian Wahl/CNN iReport
<strong>The camels:</strong> They're pretty much everywhere, even taking a rest on the promenade. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1248304">Markku Rainer Peltonen</a> snapped this photo while on vacation in the beach resort town of Hurghada.
The camels: They're pretty much everywhere, even taking a rest on the promenade. Markku Rainer Peltonen snapped this photo while on vacation in the beach resort town of Hurghada.
Markku Rainer Peltonen/CNN iReport
U.S. expat <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247709">John Stavinoha</a> photographed a boy working at a camel market just outside of Cairo.
U.S. expat John Stavinoha photographed a boy working at a camel market just outside of Cairo.
John Stavinoha/CNN iReport
<strong>The architecture: </strong>Mexican photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247704">David Cordova </a>captured this image of the 15th Century Qaitbay citadel in Alexandria.
The architecture: Mexican photographer David Cordova captured this image of the 15th Century Qaitbay citadel in Alexandria.
David Cordova/CNN iReport
Egypt's stunning <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247352">Temple of Hathor</a> is the focus of this peaceful image by retired U.S. citizen Randy Eckardt. "I've always enjoyed the friendliness of the people, and their playful sense of humor, what mostly draws me to Egypt, however, is the ancient history," he says.
Egypt's stunning Temple of Hathor is the focus of this peaceful image by retired U.S. citizen Randy Eckardt. "I've always enjoyed the friendliness of the people, and their playful sense of humor, what mostly draws me to Egypt, however, is the ancient history," he says.
Randy Eckardt/CNN iReport
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1248211">Nahla EINemr </a>shot this woman walking through Egyptian neighborhood Kom El Dikka. She felt that the photo represented Egypt in the architecture and traditional clothing shown. "I love this photo because of the shadows cast on the woman's dress, like she is wearing those rays," EINemr said.
Nahla EINemr shot this woman walking through Egyptian neighborhood Kom El Dikka. She felt that the photo represented Egypt in the architecture and traditional clothing shown. "I love this photo because of the shadows cast on the woman's dress, like she is wearing those rays," EINemr said.
Nahla EINemr/CNN iReport
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247906">Nahla ElNemr</a> was inspired by the historical architecture in the Kom El dikka neighborhood when she captured this photo.
Nahla ElNemr was inspired by the historical architecture in the Kom El dikka neighborhood when she captured this photo.
Nahla ElNemr/CNN iReport
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1248403">Jasmine Hassan</a>, who lives in Cairo, finds the stunning ancient ruins of Egypt the most unique aspect of this remarkable country. Here her guide from a trip made several years ago stands in the shadow of the Philae temple in Luxor. "You never get bored in Egypt," she observes.
Jasmine Hassan, who lives in Cairo, finds the stunning ancient ruins of Egypt the most unique aspect of this remarkable country. Here her guide from a trip made several years ago stands in the shadow of the Philae temple in Luxor. "You never get bored in Egypt," she observes.
Jasmine Hassan/CNN iReport
<strong>The horse-drawn carriages: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247659">Passos</a> couldn't quite believe his eyes when, en route from Cairo airport into the city, he spotted these gentlemen riding their horse-drawn carriage by the side of the road. "I saluted [the driver] and he did back, afterward we all laughed," he says.
The horse-drawn carriages: Passos couldn't quite believe his eyes when, en route from Cairo airport into the city, he spotted these gentlemen riding their horse-drawn carriage by the side of the road. "I saluted [the driver] and he did back, afterward we all laughed," he says.
Fabio Passos/CNN iReport
<strong>The food: </strong>Canadian Instagrammer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1248052">Nadine Rashad</a> says one of the most unique -- and delicious -- things about her familial homeland is the food. The picture showing a delicious home cooked spread was the work of her aunt. "There were more plates of food on the table than guests," she says.
The food: Canadian Instagrammer Nadine Rashad says one of the most unique -- and delicious -- things about her familial homeland is the food. The picture showing a delicious home cooked spread was the work of her aunt. "There were more plates of food on the table than guests," she says.
Nadine Rashad/CNN iReport
This is what a real falafel sandwich is supposed to look like, says <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1245197">Rashad</a>.
This is what a real falafel sandwich is supposed to look like, says Rashad.
Nadine Rashad/CNN iReport
Swiss resident <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247707">Helen Nyman</a> loved the precarious balancing act this breadseller was pulling off near Cairo's old Khan el-Khalili Bazar.
Swiss resident Helen Nyman loved the precarious balancing act this breadseller was pulling off near Cairo's old Khan el-Khalili Bazar.
Helen Nyman/CNN iReport
<strong>The arts: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1247874">Mohamed Galal</a> shared a photo of the Tanoura show, a performance involving traditional Egyptian dance and music.
The arts: Mohamed Galal shared a photo of the Tanoura show, a performance involving traditional Egyptian dance and music.
Mohamed Galal/CNN iReport
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1246961">Galal</a> also took this photo of the Cairo Opera House. He said it is important to him because his passion is to show others how beautiful Egypt is.
Galal also took this photo of the Cairo Opera House. He said it is important to him because his passion is to show others how beautiful Egypt is.
Mohamed Galal/CNN iReport
<strong>The joy:</strong> What was it about this scene that captured Californian traveler <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fpeople%2Ftargadriver">Stephen Krupnik'</a>s eye? "I love the look of joy on his face!" he says. "The culture and people are so different from my experiences here in southern California."
The joy: What was it about this scene that captured Californian traveler Stephen Krupnik's eye? "I love the look of joy on his face!" he says. "The culture and people are so different from my experiences here in southern California."
Stephen Krupnick/CNN iReport
<strong>The goodbyes:</strong> Giza train station was the setting for this poignant scene of people saying goodbye to loved ones in this shot by entrepreneur <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-1248331">Mohamed El Koossy</a>. For him Egypt's uniqueness lies in its diversity. "You get to feel that you are living in different countries in one country," he says.
The goodbyes: Giza train station was the setting for this poignant scene of people saying goodbye to loved ones in this shot by entrepreneur Mohamed El Koossy. For him Egypt's uniqueness lies in its diversity. "You get to feel that you are living in different countries in one country," he says.
Mohamed El Koossy/CNN iReport
Photos that could only happen in Egypt
Cairo, Egypt CNN  — 

If you think New York never sleeps, you should try Cairo sometime.

Ear-splitting, pulse-pounding and overwhelming, Egypt’s capital is an all-out assault on the senses – 18 million hustling, bustling people packed into one heaving city along the banks of the Nile.

Egyptians call it the “Mother of the World,” and it’s not hard to see why. Cairo is a modern megalopolis with an ancient past – a living, breathing and sweating testament to city’s thousand-year old role as the main nerve center of the Arab world.

But enough out of us – we asked you to finish the following sentence: “You know you’re in Cairo when…”

… and boy did you answer. You gave us the lowdown on city: the sights, the sounds and the smells.

Here are 13 signs you’re probably in the Egyptian capital, chosen by you.

1. When there’s simply no avoiding traffic.

2. When “maximum occupancy” is optional.

3. When cars aren’t the only thing to look at on the road .

4. When even walking can be a death-defying stunt.

5. When the pyramids are almost never out of shot.

6. When the history of the place is ever-present.

7. When working and relaxing aren’t always exclusive.

8. When the city doesn’t sleep, even when you’re desperate to …

9. … But at least the people are friendly. Like, really really friendly.

10. When everyone’s a comedian.

11. When there’s always something to stuff your face with.

12. When there’s no shortage of places to stop for a drink.

13. When despite all the hustle and bustle, you still find time to take in the view.