and then Eqypt ....

This trip was both awe-inspiring (something you can't even get your head around) and disappointing ... A very different experience from the other side of the Mediterranean!  To stand in the tombs, to look at the pyramids and climb down into them, and to view the temples was mind-boggling - just unbelievable to see something that ancient and magnificent.

The disappointing part of the trip was the trash, the litter, the mass of humanity, the fact that the pyramids are in the middle of the biggest city in Egypt with millions of people; sort of took away from the magnificence.  Also, we had an armed guard on the bus with us at all time, along with a police car escort of two officers, so every time we stopped we would be protected.  We couldn't leave the hotel, or wander off to take pictures, or interact with the locals.  I understand it was for our safety, but it really took away from the experience of being in the country.  For instance, the afternoon we went to the "bizarre," they blocked off one street with guards and let us wander on that street; hardly the "experience" I was wanting.

Another difference in the tours was the openness of the Croatia tour guides regarding talking about the country and communist rule and the war and the problems they face verses the "canned" and misinformation we were given in Egypt.  Croatia was clean; people were open and friendly.

A funny note - although horn honking is illegal in Egypt, horns are constantly being honked as a way to let other drivers know you are there and what you are doing.  It is mass chaos in the streets and there are no traffic lights ... because no one would obey them anyway.

There are some 13,000 mosques in Cairo.

We were permitted to visit this one (women had to use a separate entrance).  It was quite beautiful.










Our first day in Cairo was a good one.  We could see the Great Pyramids of Giza from the hotel, so it increased our excitement.

When we visited the pyramids, we were actually allowed to climb on them. The Spinx, however, was fenced off and we didn't get very close, but it was still awesome to see.  And then we had a camel ride!

 The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the only true rival to the Great Sphinx when one thinks of ancient Egypt and its architecture.  The three largest pyramids located in the Valley of Giza consist of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kafhre, and the Pyramid of Menkaura.  Each Pyramid is a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt.  We were permitted to climb down (you climb up the side and then down into the tomb - bent over at the waist - not an easy feat).  The chambers were interesting but no photos were allowed.

We also visited the Solar Boat Museum, but no pictures were allowed again.

The next day we visited Dahshur and the Pyramids of Zoser and Teti.  The step pyramid complex of King Djoser (Zoser) is considered the oldest stone structure on Earth, built more than 4700 years ago.

The original height of the Pyramid of Teti was 172 feet.  Inside it are some pyramid texts inscribed all around the walls of the burial chamber and the inner corridors.

We explored a mastaba tomb, a superstructure of a tomb that was built in the form of a huge bench above ground to house the funeral belongings of the deceased.  Then we visited the Imhotep Museum. The museum was opened in 2006, and displays finds from the site, in commemoration of the ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep.

The next day we visited the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina (the Great Library of Alexandria.

These are pigeon coups.  Pigeons are a delicacy in Egypt ..... no, I didn't try one.
What we did eat was hummus and pita bread at every meal; meat cooked on a little hibachi at the table (ground meat sausages, chicken, lamb); rice; green beans.  What we weren't given was lentils ... I expected them to be constantly available, but they never appeared.








 

 

Alexandria

In Alexandria we toured the catacombs, the Roman Theater and the National Museum, then the Citadel of Qaitbay.

The catacombs of Kom es-Shouqafa were tunneled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine emperors (2nd century AD) for a single wealthy family.  These tombs represent the last existing major construction for the sake of the old Egyptian religion.

Citadel of Qaitbay

Roman Theater

 The Egyptian Museum -

The church of St. Sergio (also known as St. Sergius or Abu Serga) was built in the center of the Ancient Roman fort of Babylon. The church is considered as one of the sites visited by the Holy Family during their escape from King Herod to the land of Egypt.

Now, onto a boat to cruise the Nile!