Yesterday was our first full touring day. It was a long day, but it was wonderful and we saw so much! We started out early and drove to the site of the pyramids and the Sphinx. We chose to do the optional interior pyramid visit into the small pyramid and although today we both have aching thighs (as does everyone in the group who did that visit) it was well worth it. We started out at the Great Pyramid and it was incredible. It is so large that I just cannot explain it or capture it in a photo. You can climb a bit of the outside where they've carved in stairs, but no longer to the top, and not on the actual pyramid stones (unlike the pyramid at Coba, Mexico, that we climbed to the top of last year). The individual stones are massive – about the size of a small sofa – and held together not by mortar or plaster, but from pressure inside the pyramid itself, which was a very interesting fact to learn.
We walked all around the Great Pyramid and by the Middle Pyramid, which is currently closed for refurbishment. It is just as huge, being only one meter shorter than the Great Pyramid. Then we visited the site discovered 10 years ago of the remains of the pyramid builders' dwellings and burial areas. What has been written about the pyramids being built by slaves is incorrect, according to our Egyptologist guide, and they were actually built by skilled workers who were admired by the kings and honored with burial sites near the pyramids. We then went up to the panoramic view and got some gorgeous pictures of all three pyramids.
Our guide then asked who among us wanted to take a camel ride, and J and I were the only two in the group to step up. Our guide took us to the camel owner and wrangler. I was helped onto “Robin Hood” and J was on “Mickey Mouse” (which, if you know us, was a cute coincidence). The camel ride was so much fun! We both really enjoyed it. I was looking forward to a camel ride during our trip but J wasn't sure he would enjoy it, but we both really had a great time!
After the camel ride we went into the small pyramid. It was a treacherous climb down about 30 meters – cramped, steep, and hot – but when we got to the bottom is was worth it! It was amazing to be inside one of the most famous Egyptian pyramids. We weren't allowed to take pictures down there, but it was fantastic to explore! The climb up was not easy, but much better than the climb down.
Then we saw the Sphinx – which is smaller than you'd think. We got some great pictures and took the time to really look at the details in the Sphinx.
We then drove to the papyrus center and we bought some blank papyrus paper, which was apparently a novelty, but we didn't want any of the art, just the paper. We were able to bargain them down from 150 Egyptian Pounds to 40 Egyptian Pounds (about $8 US). The art on papyrus started at 100 Egyptian Pounds so we did well. Then, we drove back over the bridge of the Nile and into Cairo for lunch at what was basically a typical Egyptian fast food place but it was really good. The meal consisted of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, tomato, fried onions, garlic, and optional chili sauce (Jen's didn't have the pasta and was still yummy). It was super filling and followed by very sweet rice pudding.
After lunch it was time to visit the Egyptian Museum, where photos were not allowed either. Our guide book had said the museum was full to the brim with ancient Egyptian treasures, but not coherently set up and that most exhibits were not marked or detailed, and the book was right! We did see the treasures of King Tut's tomb and many, many mummies from the different eras, but it was overwhelming after awhile because there was just so much to see with so little explanation of what we were seeing. After a couple of hours we had to leave to save our sanity! Then it was time to head back to the hotel and we went out for falafel sandwiches and fries for dinner, which we ate out by the pool at the hotel.
So, it was a long day and we were exhausted, but it was great day and we got to see and do so much!
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