G
iza & Cairo!
Taxis can take you around to the sites quite cheaply, be careful that they don't leave you stranded though. We chose the Hayes & Jarvis tour guides who are more informative. Well worth the extra cost, I might add. Be aware of the camel ride touts: they are so expensive compared to elsewhere and for less time. Try flagging down the small 6/8 seated van/bus, they're old and they rattle, but it's very cheap, less than an Egyptian pound as I recollect.
We observed that most of the Egyptian people were so impoverished, that the discrepancy between wealthy and poor is immeasurably large, yet they were completely honest. When one steps from the street into the shops the wealth is so evident, that the street and its visual poverty are completely forgotten. When we noted Egyptian wealth, it's understandable why I write this! However, they would always be staring at Sarah! This would usually be accompanied with a proposal of marriage, a note with their address and sometimes a flower to go with it. And, still only sixteen!
Below is, Sarah.
The chap in the check shirt is a Canadian whom we met at the Meridien Hotel. The Step Pyramid of Djoser (the very first to be built in Egypt) at Saqqara is almost 5000 years old.
T
he City of Cairo has some Biblical notoriety. We discovered that Cairo is founded on the ancient Roman site of Babylon, or Babylon Fortress. (I was a little confused with the Babylonia in Mesopotamia)! Although there is very little to see, we did discover the original wall of this City under the foundations of a very old Christian Church (Coptic, I think). Coptic also being a derivative of the ancient Egyptian language! It is also noted, that we visited the supposedly hiding place of Jesus and his family when they were in Cairo. It's very small, mostly underground and to our astonishment is not preserved. As with most of their treasures, the more numerous and less important items were left unprotected. I should imagine it's simply to do with priority of funding. Consider the looting and selling of artefacts, that are now in the Museums of the world. Egypt was losing its ancient heritage up to the early part of the 20th century must surely be inconceivable. Just think if these were all returned. Never happen of course.The Sphinx of Giza (Egyptian name: Shespankh, meaning living statue). If you are interested, then the words King and Pharaoh are largely interchangeable. Pharaoh was a title for the King, though originally it meant the great house in which the king lived. There you have it... I think!
I believe the structure above to be: 'Saleh el-din (Saladin) Citadel.' It was photographed from the: Mohamed Ali Mosque, where you can see Sarah and I standing by the parapet above.
We left Cairo with the excitement of a new adventure; our next destination was a flight to Luxor. With the reluctance of leaving the few good friends that were made at the Meridien Hotel. The many sights and sounds of the chaotic City of Cairo & Giza, we were away!
