Pyramids

We went to the pyramids today.

It is an interesting experience.

The pyramids (at giza) are on the outskirts of Cairo. About a half hour drive from downtown, depending on traffic.

Cairo is in a canyon of sorts. Centuries of the Nile flooding and changing course has dug a canyon through the limestone. Cairo sits by the river bank at the bottom of that canyon.

The pyramids are on the ledge at the top of that canyon. All you really have to do is climb out of the canyon to reach them.

They are actually visible from town on a clear day. For the record: a clear day comes about once a year after a rainstorm washes all the pollution and dust from the air.

I only mention the canyon/ledge thing because it was something I never quite realized until someone pointed out that, I quote, “Cairo sits at the bottom of the grand canyon of egypt.”

I took some shots. Some of them are here .

Visiting the pyramids is surreal in some ways. I mean, these are some 4500 years old. It is hard to wrap your head around. Our guide described it as “every childs dream is to visit the pyramids”.

I am learning that the AUC bus tours should be treated as scouting missions. They give you just enough time to get the lay of the land, a sense of location and a clear plan on what to do when you come back on your own.

We did not go into either of the 2 major pyramids. The pyramid of Khufu(aka Cheops) only allows about 100 tourists/day. The ticket booth opens at 8am. If you are not already in line, chances are you are not going to get a ticket to go in.
The other pyramid that allows entrace is the pyramid of Khafre. (This Pharoah is the one “depicted” on the face of the Sphinx). This one has a seperate ticket booth and allows unlimited tourists to visit. However, by the time we were done with the Solar Boat museum, we didn’t feel we had enough time to do it justice, though some of our tourmates did it.

We will return for these 2.

The Solar Boat museum. Apparently the pharoah was taken up the Nile to his tomb by this boat. After he was entombed, the boat was buried along side the pyramid. After the judgement, the pharoah would sail the boat to eternity.

It was discovered by accident (like most tombs, pyramids and other artifacts. I have heard that if there was truth in advertising most tourist sites in Egypt would have plaques that say “Found by burro, ca xxxx”). They were cleaning up the site for a presidential visit and found it.

It was in 160-something pieces at the bottom of a trench, covered with huge limestock blocks. There were no nails or screws holding it together, all of the pieces were held together with rope.

They pieced it all together and it is hanging in the solar boat museum. (see the pics mentioned above). Nothing in the museum is a replica. It is all the actual articles. Pretty impressive stuff.