V2nd, C3: pov in sec. viii

[David Payne]

I think that Pynchon fudged and was using the Opera House for this scene (not the summer theater). 
 
Here are some cool old pictures of Cairo, including Ibrahim's statue, the exterior of the Opera House, and two shots of the Opera House box seating showing heavy curtains on the doors: http://www.egyptedantan.com/le_caire/cite_ancienne/ezbekieh/place_de_l'opera/place_de_l'opera4.htm
 
Note that the Opera House faced east and was modeled after La Scala of Milan (but was smaller). 
 
Does anyone know if the La Scala stage faces the same direction as the front of the building? If so, that would put the Opera house's stage-side as west, right?
 
By the way, the Ezbekiyeh Gardens were octagonal in shape!
 
Also, check out this quote about a reaction to the renovations in that area of Cairo during the late 1800s: "Cairo has become dangerously infatuated with checker-board planning" (http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/427/special.htm) 		 	   		  
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