CAIRO/THE PYRAMIDS—IMPRESSIONS

∙ WHAT WE DID/SAW/EXPERIENCED
          ∙ Today, our cruise ship traverses the Suez Canal.  We, instead, immersed ourselves in more Egyptian history and culture!  (This time, Bill and I were "on our own".)
          ∙ Ramses Tours picked us up at 4:45 am -- yes 4:45 am -- for our flight from Sharm to Cairo! Oh my Lord!

 
          ∙ Upon arrival (at 7:15 am), Ramses took us to visit the Egyptian Museum, which happens to be located at Tahrir Square – primary site of the Rebellion.  We saw some remaining rebels still camped out there (“occupy Tahrir Square?”), along with the burnt-out former office building of the Mubarak government.  Presidential candidates’ posters hung around the city.  Looters had raided the Museum during the Rebellion, with only about 60% of the stolen items recovered to date.  Since cameras weren’t allowed in the Museum, I can only bring you photos of the building’s interesting exterior.  While there, we saw the incredible golden tomb and treasures of King Tut (enclosed in his tomb for over 3,000 years before it was discovered in the 1920’s upon excavation of his tomb).  We also saw the mummified bodies of King Ramses II and other former royals in “The Royal Mummies Hall”, along with numerous artifacts of ancient Egypt.

TAHRIR SQUARE

THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

          ∙ Next, we were off to the fabulous Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus -- including the "Great Pyramid" and Sphyx!  This is what I’d waited for, and it didn’t disappoint!  After gazing at the amazing structures, we toured the Cheops Boat Museum, housing a large wooden boat found buried next to the Pyramid of Cheops.  We ran into some local kids, who asked us to be in a photo with them – fun!  (They don’t see too many Americans here.)  We also entered and climbed the narrow, steep passage inside the Great Pyramid.  It was a hot, hot day (it had to be over 100) and a difficult climb – but we did it!  Photos weren’t permitted inside (unless you paid off the guards).  High winds kicked up sometimes blinding dust storms, which drove dust particles into our already tired eyes.  With the tourism slump here, there seemed to be more locals, selling camel or horse rides and various sundries, than tourists. (They really need their tourism industry restored and were quite grateful for our visit.)


          ∙ We had our best lunch in Egypt thus far, at Andrea Restaurant.  It was already about 2 when we got there.

 
          ∙ We were very tired by this point; the heat zaps the energy right out of you.  But a reader named “Robyn” suggested that we check out Saqqara and the sites there.  So we did . . . a small “payment” allowed us to photograph inside the tomb there (with no flash).

          ∙ At last, we made it to our hotel for a 1.5-hour break before the night’s event.  We stayed at the “Mena House Oberoi”, built in 1890 and located a short .6 mile from the Great Pyramid!  It’s a really nice hotel, which I recommend highly.  Beyond the amazing pool and grounds, it gave us the most incredible view out of a hotel room that I’ve ever had!  The third photo below is the view of the Great Pyramid, standing tall right out of our hotel room.  Un-believable.  Sureal.  I took a quick swim and then cleaned up for the night out.  I can sleep when I die, huh?  The Great Pyramid looked spectacular as the sun began to set!

          ∙ Finally, we took a dinner cruise on the Nile River – under the full moon -- including a belly dancer and Tanura show!  Bill really liked the belly dancer (go figure)!  This gave us a whole new perspective on Cairo – from the river, it looks more like a resort town than a mecca of revolution and rebirth.

∙ THOUGHTS/IMPRESSIONS
          ∙ This day was both painful (due to the early start and long day, after three nights of little sleep) and awe-inspiring!
          ∙ The Rames Tour guides and drivers continued to be reliable, professional and extremely cordial.
          ∙ We saw several police officers, but little military.  All was calm and peaceful throughout the city on this hot, hot Saturday!  The worst thing we saw was one man's fit of "road rage".
          ∙ The Egyptians I met continued to be friendly, welcoming and even funny.  We even saw some females – so they haven’t been abducted!
          ∙ I didn’t experience the expected pollution, but the city’s Sphinx Avenue had turned into a dumping ground for trash since the Rebellion.  Even the Great Pyramid was full of trash and debris.  What a shame.
          ∙ I leave you with these final images from around Cairo . . .


          ∙ Tomorrow, we fly to Athens, Greece – one day ahead of the ship!  We have nothing planned!!