Day 3 in Egypt (Last day)

We woke up feeling very refreshed after a nice long sleep.  We didn't have to meet our guide until 10:30 which was a nice change of pace.  We ate breakfast leisurely and then met Mohammed to have him take us to our tour of the Pharonic Village

View from the pool.  We didn't actually use the pool because it was a bit too cold out.  Still great views of the pyramids as the backdrop. 

Arrival at the Pharonic Village

So, as I said, we were to visit the Pharonic Village that day.  We hadn't heard much about it but once Mohammed told us that we were going to a "recreation" of how Egyptian life use to be.  We felt like this would be a let down because we were in Egypt and there was no reason to "recreate" life how it was, we had already seen so many artifacts about it, why see something fake?   We went against our better judgement and went to the village.  Mohammed told us he'd be back in 2.5 hours.    We waited in the gift shop for our boat ride to the village.  My parents bought more papyrus which had their names printed in hyroglyfics while we were waiting.   Once we arrived at the island, made the best of it, listening to our guide and trying to learn. 

View from the boat

Some of the "sights"

Yes, they actually wrote this 

 By this point, we were really just so sick of the whole village and started laughing. . . and even more so when we saw this sign. . . it was an advertisement for weddings here!

Eric's wondering if we should have skipped our Wainwright affair and gotten married here?
Maybe for a 5 year "re-new our vows" ceremony :) 

 So this next part was the worst . . . while we were walking towards this "farm" area, we heard someone feverishly blowing a whistle.  Seconds later we saw many of the people dressed in costume (the actors) get into position. . . Most of them were sitting on a few benches about 50 meters from us.  It was absolutely ridiculous to watch them all scurry to re-inact the way life used to be.  At this point, we were totally done.  We stayed for another 5 minutes until it was a break time.  We found someone who had a cell phone that worked and called Mohammed to come pick us us.  We skipped right through the snack area and tried to find our way off this island.  We finally found the boats and were lucky enough to catch a boat right before it was leaving with employees.  No one questioned our presence on the short boat ride.  

Before we found the boat, my mom is saying,  "get me off this island!"

A building we were looking at while waiting for Mohammed.  It is sad how truly dirty it was. 
Next stop, The Four Seasons Giza!  We were in desperate need of a good lunch, a clean bathroom and just some R and R. . . we got just what we needed!   

From here it was off to the airport.  Luckily, the company we hired also had someone take us through the entire airport up until customs.  It was a very confusing process and definitely needed someone to walk us through it.  It was crowded and people were rough. 

While we waited for our plane, we found a Starbucks and were able to buy another one of our collector's series mugs for Egypt that we all collect (Eric's parents too). 

It was a short trip but we really enjoyed the history and learning about the current and past culture of Cairo and Giza.  We are all so relieved we went when we did as now the current situation is a bit too tumultous.   I didn't post this before but during much of our trip, our guide gave us much insight to the situation in Egypt (up until early January 2011).  From what he told us and what we witnessed, we knew a revolt of some kind was coming at some point, however we did not know how imminent!  It is just so sad to see how some of the inhabitants of the country were living.  There was a large discrepancy between the classes.  Never would we have imagine it would come to such measures.  We are hoping and praying for the people of Egypt and arrival of a democracy.  

Our Jam Packed Day 2 in Giza

Our second day in Egypt started early and ended late.  

On the agenda for the day:

A trip to Memphis, Sakara, the Step Pyramid, a carpet factory, THE pyramids and the Spyinx.  

Our guide Michaiel was very ambitious and wanted to show us everything.  It was a very informative day  and gave us great insight into the daily life of the people of Cairo & Giza.  We saw lots of history from 6,000+ years ago.  We also, unfortunately, saw much poverty.  

The irrigation channel where some, unfortunately fished

Farms that bump right up to the city of Cairo.  The city has grown so much that Cairo is basically taking over the farm land.  Notice the smog in the air over the buildings.

Tuk-tuk (taxi cab)

After a 45 minute ride, we arrived in Memphis.  

Art work for sale being displayed on the side of the road 

W C Where?!?

We are now in Memphis.  The site of Rasmus II's statue.

This is the exact spot where the statue of Rasmus II was found in the year 1820.  After it was uncovered and restored, a building was build around it to protect it.  

An ariel shot 

Notice the left foot is ahead of the right, this was a common stance we saw in many statues.  We were told by our guide it represented walking into the afterlife.  However, we have heard many other explanations such as it being a "power stance" and that since the left side of the body has the heart, you are walking with your heart.   He is wearing a skirt as we were told by our guide because they were first designed for men fighting battles because they were easier to run in. 

Standing next to it, you really got to see how massive it is.  

I thought this was a nice older man who wanted his photo with me and Eric (separately). . . in the end, he asked for money.  We noticed this a lot.  Many men were there dressed similarly to this man just to make some money.  I suppose if this is the only way?

The Sphinx of Memphis

The first, of many group shots for the day

Side view

Eric really wanted one of these scarves  . . . "when in Rome . . " or so the saying goes.

Now we are on our way to Sakkara

It was only a short drive and we arrived to find a litter of puppies 

Snuggling in the grass

The wild momma.  Don't go too close though, she was quite protective.

Entrance to Sakkara

We went to the museum of Sakkara first then to visit The Step Pyramid of Djoser

The ruins

While we were there we had an opportunity to visit the inside of one of the pyramids.    Eric and my dad went inside and I was on my way down the 20 meter steps but at the last minute freaked out and decided not to go.  They said once they got through the part where they had to walk in a very small area, it opened up to a much larger (less claustrophobic) area.

The Step Pyramid (left)
Apparently some guy climbed this a number of years back but then could not get down so they had to get a helicopter to bring him back down safely.  

Thumbs up!

Pyramids of Giza in the distance 

Now we are on our way to see THE pyramids.  However, we first need to stop at a carpet school which was very interesting.  We were able to see how the carpets were made by hand and even got to try it out.  

This is a silk carpet being made.

My mom trying it out

A wool carpet

A weaved carpet - looks the same from front and back

And of course, our visit would not have been complete without a visit to the showroom (upstairs).  My parents seriously contemplated investing in one of these beautiful rugs but we ran out of time.   The salesman does have their email. . . do I see an Egyptian carpet being delivered to PV, NY sometime soon?! 

The "Kings"

Just a sampling of what they had at this showroom

Now we're on our way to Giza to see THE pyramids.  It's now about 2:45 pm and the pyramid's entrance closes at 3:30pm.  We are rushing to get there and into the viewing of the Sphinx before then.   

My mom and Michiael

getting closer

Up close view of the pyramid

My mom and Eric had already walked on and my dad and I were stopped by a police officer.  The same police officer who I saw just a few minutes before collecting money from tourists.  When he approached us I said no thank you but he insisted on taking our photo.  By that point, I was so exhausted and hungry so I just told my dad to oblige.  Afterwards he asked us for money for taking the photo.  I remind you, this is a UNIFORMED police officer asking for illegal money!  I told him no and walked away.  He didn't chase after us, luckily.  Michiael said this happens a lot, unfortunately.  

View of the same pyramid from the other side.  

Eric's signature Christmas Hat 

Holding them up

Add caption

Christmas card 2011?!?

From there we went on to the Sphinx (in the same area)

Waiting in this absolutely terrible, unorganized line to get in (and out!)

We're on the edge of a very small ledge with lots of people...

Walk like an Egyptian!

I had to do it! 

Photos of the pyramids when they were first discovered.  The photo to the bottom left is  when the Nile was all the way by the pyramids

We walked out of the exit only to find this big guy.

After this we went to the papyrus museum where we all bought an Egyptian papyrus.   By this time, it was getting later and we were all famished after not eating anything since our breakfast.

We decided to stay local that night and eat the restaurant next door called "Felfela" which was delicious.  The decor left something to be desired but the food was delish! 

What the heck is this?

The owner of the restaurant told me if I didn't finish all my food, he'd make me clean the dishes and charge me extra.  I didn't finish it all . . he skipped on the dishes but I'm pretty sure they charged us at least extra being tourists!  Oh well, it was still yummy!

Enjoying our meal with some Stella...not to be confused with that of "Artois" Egyptian Beer!  

We finished our night by watching a movie in my parent's room and ordered room service for dessert!
It was the perfect end to a very full day!