Elaine's Travel Journal: 8/2/09

After arriving in Alexandria, we immediately left by bus to Cairo and stopped at a hotel for lunch. We were greeted by an Egyptian band playing old American military music (I don't remember the song, but it was something like Yankee Doodle). From here, we got our first view of the pyramids! So exciting!

Then, we went to Memphis where we saw a statue of Ramses the II and the Alabaster Sphinx (not the big famous one). Here, we got our first taste of how pushy the salesmen are. But luckily, our tour guide was great; she was completely honest about what to expect, what lies they may tell, and how to hande situations.

After that, we went to the Tomb of Ptah. Next, we went to the Step Pyramid, the first attempt at a pyramid. It started as a (very large) bench and they kept adding on. From this location, we could see in the distance two more pyramids. One started wit 60 something degree angles and started to crack, so they switched to 52 degrees halfway, so it looks crooked. The other pyramid is the first true pyramid; 52 degrees all the way up. After that, all pyramids were built at a 52 degree angle. On the grounds of the Step Pyramid, there was a man with his camel (there for the tourists) who was letting the camel kiss his face! Gross!

After we checked into our hotel (The Marriott: one of the nicest hotels in the city. We got queen beds and fluffy pillows for the first time in months!) we went to a bazaar. Here the salesmen were even more pushy, but Caitlin and I bartered as a team to get good prices. We work pretty well together.

The next morning, we got our wake-up call at 4:15 am! It was worth is though because we went to the pyramids to watch the sunrise. Definitely the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen (not that I've seen many) and maybe one of the most beautiful things I've seen ever. Period.

After the sun rose we had free time to explore around the pyramids. Not that many people adventured right down to the pyramids, but Caitlin and I did! Then, we went back to the group and rode camels! I didn't know that was part of our trip, so it was a nice surprise. Caitlin and I shared one. As soon as we got on, the camel driver started hassling us about tipping him. It was annoying, but I didn't let it ruin my trek. When we got off, we asked our tour guide what we should do, and she said his tip was included in the price, so didn't pay him more. I probably would have still him if he hadn't been so pushy!

Similarly, one of the tricks the salesmen supposedly use is telling you they're giving you a gift and then chase after you demanding money, so I never took anything anyone offered. You can't even let strangers take or pose for a picture because some will make you pay them. Luckily, Caitlin has a little tripod, so we could take our own pictures.

Then, we saw the Sphinx followed by the Egyptian Museum. Here, I saw King Tut's treasures, Egyptian jewelry, many sarcophagi, and mummified animals. Next, we went on a Nile Cruise with lunch and cheesy entertainment including a belly dancer, a whirling man, and a singing couple that sang Enrique and Celine Dion songs. Next, we saw a mosque built my Mohammad Ali. At night, we went back to the pyramids for the Sound and Light Show.

The next day, we were awoken again at 4:15 to fly to Luxor. First stop: Valley of the Kings. Kings started hiding their tombs here because when they would mark them with monuments, such as pyramids, they would get robbed. Many of these hidden tombs were robbed anyway, but some were not, including King Tut's: which is why he is so famous despite the fact he probably only ruled for one year and died at the age of 18. His tomb is still bright with original colors and I saw his mummy! I was really happy about that because I didn't pay extra to see the mummies at the museum the day before and was later disappointed. But after seeing Tut's mummy I was completely satisfied.

Next, we went to Queen Hatshepsut's Temple. (She was a female pharaoh, so I really like her.) At this site, the salesmen were even more aggressive than before. But I got a dress I really like for LE70 (70 Egyptian Pounds) that started at over LE300, so I was happy. (There are LE5 to every $1). Then, we went back to the hotel where we watched a beautiful sunset over the Nile River. Maybe the prettiest sunset I've ever seen. Ever.

The next day, we got to sleep in til 6:15 am. We went to Karnak Temple then took a flight to Cairo and bus to Alexandria. By the time I got back I was exhausted and didn't do anything for the rest of the day.

The last day, I tried to get an early start, but nothing was open. So, we went to the Biblioteca (by far the most modern building in Alexandria that I saw) and went to a cafe. After that, we briefly went to a market and then finally went to some shops outside the port. Overall, I had an amazing (but exhausting) time in Egypt.