Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011-Day 7 Cairo Egypt and the pyramids of Giza.

Here we are in Cairo Egypt. Wow it is an amazing place. In the background you can see the tour vans and buses coming and going. There is alot of action here at pyramids of Giza.



THIS IS A CLOSE UP OF ONE OF THE PYRAMIDS.  THE ROCKS ARE VERY JAGGED AND ROUGH AND THE STONES ARE UNEVEN.  BUT STILL THE ARCHITECTURE IS UNBELIEVABLE.  WE ARE SO GLAD WE COULD WITNESS ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT  WORLD.

This is the only pyramid which still retains a part of its original covering of Tura limestone, which can be seen at the upper half.  The casing stones are much smaller at the top then they are at the bottom.



The greatesst achievments of the pyramid builders were the pyramids of Giza they are the  most famous monuments of ancient Egypt and included among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world. Built near the capital city of Memphis for the fourth dynasty kings Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure who ruled through 2589-2504 B.C. These massive stone structures were built around 4500 years ago on a rocky desert plateau close to the Nile.  But the intriguing Egyptian pyramids were more than just tombs for Kings.  The mysteries surrounding their symbolism, design and purpose have inspired passionate debate.  It is likely these mysteries will never be solved...  CANY YOU GO IN THE PYRAMIDS?  NO, THEY WON'T LET TOURISTS INTO THE PYRAMIDS.
Khafre  tomb lies  in the pyramid directly behind us  there are 2 entrances on the north side,the first entrance leads to the upper corridor, which descends at an angle of 25 degrees for 32 m and then becomes horizontal until it reaches the burial chamber.  The other one is located at ground level and is currently used to enter the pyramid, which leads to the lower corridor.  Inside  is a great sarcophagus and its lid with no inscriptions or decorations and the signature of Belzoni dated March 2 1818.  The day of discovery.



Bill and I enjoyed taking lots of pictures.

Vendors had shop set up all over, the minute you got off the bus they were there trying to give you a gift.  It you kept whatever gift they would give you then they would keep an eye on you or follow you around.  Then after a while they would approach you again and ask if you have a gift for them.  One guy came up to me and put some colored stones in my hand and said "I love America you people are the best" I immediately put them on the ground.  He felt bad but I knew he would of wanted money for them.  While driving on the tour bus to the pyramids they told us not to give the vendors eye contact or not to smile in their direction, if you did you would never get rid of them.  That was so true.  The tour guide told us we would feel like we were being rude, but you have to be.  These people are ruthless and do not take no easily.

These are some of the vendors that just would not leave us alone.

This girl was very nice and she was not pushy so I bought one of these homemade hats.

I got a good deal on this beaded hat and enjoyed wearing it for the remainder of the day.

I will admit she looks better in it than I do, but it was fun.  Bill wanted me to buy the whole belly dancing outfit-but I did not want it.

Vendors and there camels were everywhere.

jumping for joy that we are really here!

                                            Nov 3rd,, Day 8 we toured Alexander, Egypt.

This is one of many Muslim Mosques seen in Egypt.

The city was quit majestic,  we saw Pompey's Pillar (I took a picture on my camera and Bill did not have it on his).  It is a 25 m red granite column constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian-from the temp of Serapes. It is a magnificent structure rivaling the Soma and the Casareum.  We also went to the catacombs past Pompey pillar situated between ancient villages.  They were discovered in the 1900 which dates back to 2nd century AD.  The Catacombs is where they buried there dead by lowering them down a central well of a spiral staircase by ropes.  These Catacombs were graves below the ground.  ( I took pictures with my camera and do not have them to show)

The causeway between Pharos lighthouse (In the background) and the mainland, divided the harbors into western and eastern.  The eastern was were the old harbor from the middle ages was located.

I am sure you have heard the expression "Do you think you are King Farouk?" You say this to someone who thinks he has everything in a joking manner.  Well, history tells us that there really was a King/Emperor in Alexandria who's name is King Farouk.he was Albanian and ruled at the age of 16  from 1936 to 1952  He was the 10th  ruler from Muhammad Ali.  He was overthrown in the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. He died in 1965 at the age of 45 in Rome Italy and buried in one of Cairo's Mosques. He was enamored with a glamorous royal lifestyle. He had thousands of acres of land, dozens of palaces, and hundreds of cars, and would travel to Europe for grand shopping sprees.  It is said that he ate 600 oysters a week. During the hardships of WW 2, criticism was ongoing for his lavish lifestyle. He is known to have sent a note to Hitler during the war that an invasion would be welcome.  Farouk was condemned for his corrupt governance. He was forced into exile in Monaco and Italy where he lived the rest of life.

Another mansion of King Farouks-(actually his wife's)

Just one of  King Farouk mansions

Alexandria is the 2nd largest city in Egypt.  It is known as "The pearl of the Mediterranean" It is 3 hrs drive to Cairo (225km)  Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C.  It has the legendary light house that was one of the seven wonders of the world.  It was the setting for Cleopatra and Mark Anthony.  Also, Napoleon.

Shopping for souvenirs.

I collected a plate from each place we visited.  "I think I like this plate".

Trivia question: What continent is Egypt on?????

That's right AFRICA.