Translation of excusado

Instead of focusing on the meeting between Clinton and Mubarak, the media prefered to talk about the birthday cake that Hillary Clinton received and about the visit of pyramids and other attractions.
The sky was dark blue and this is what my sister had told me many years ago when she was there. One of the reasons for that was the altitude of the city, I recall to be it above 2000 meters.
Unfortunately, the boat's maneuvering system broke down and we were told that we could not take it. We were furious, but decided to make the best out of the situation. The offered to take the Red Dragon instead.