More, more, I want more pictures! They're wonderful. According to the Times article, all that's missing is a sound track!

The contrasts between renovated and yet-to-be-done remind me of London in the 70s when they tackled the century of grime from coal fires on the older, originally nearly white, stone buildings in central London. One nearly gleaming building would be standing next to another that was closer to dark charcoal than grey. Or a facade would look like it had been zebra-striped, with some vertical sections returned to pristine and others in their pre-cleaned state.

Any idea when Cairo started this round of cleaning? How much involves full-blown renovation rather than just facades? Are the interiors in desperate need of tarting up as well?