Pyramids, Pharaohs and the Nile

The only reason to visit Cairo is that it is the gateway to the Pyramids, Pharaohs and the Nile.This city of 25 million, constructed of grey cement and falling down apartment buildings is a constant 24/7 of activity. There is little evidence of green space or trees. The street sweepers are busy constantly with their brooms, trying to keep up with the never ending cycle of getting rid of the dirt, trash and cigarette butts. The cars and the honking never stop, the Imams are chanting prayers from the 1000 minarets and the wind from the desert keeps the city clouded in dust. The view from our 9th floor hotel looks out on the Nile. If you look carefully through the haze to the south, you can see the the pyramids of Sakkara. That evening we had the most extraordinary visit to the largest night markets I have ever witnessed. Despite the enormity and variety of products available, everything from lanterns to candles to hassock and pillow covers (of which we got one of each) I was more concerned about getting separated from the group and never finding our way out. We actually got lured further and further into a store “let me show you my shop” to buy a scarf and didn’t know if Mohamed was going to let us out without purchasing something. For anyone who has visited an Arab market, you know how persistent they can be. “I have four daughters at home that need to be fed and my wife is pregnant with child”. The following day starts out with a visit to the Cairo Citadel, an Islamic fortress built by Sultan Salah, which has the biggest mosque I have had the opportunity to visit. Unfortunately the new museum, built at a cost of 1 billion Euros and has taken 20 years to complete is still not open. However the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is still operational and we were able to go on tour to see the mummies, statues, sarcophagus, and relics of the ages going back at least 3000 years BC, though Egyptian civilization can be traced back at least to 7,000 BC. Our guide/Egyptologist is a wealth of information, but too much information starts to become overbearing and you start to tune out. You take in what you are able to absorb. Certainly the highlights are the many relics and burial artifacts from King Tutankhamun's tomb. We were able to see the famous gold mask and King Tut's caskets (5 in total) but regrettably no pictures were allowed. For someone who only reigned from 9 years of age to 19, it is amazing as to the amount of wealth and length they went to in the attempt to assure the continuation into the afterlife. Our second day was dedicated to the Pyramids of Sakkara where there were 9 pyramids and the giant pyramids of Giza where King Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered. Mammoth in size, it is inconceivable as to how they were constructed. They truly are wonders of the world. Of course a trip to the pyramids would not be complete without climbing some of the 2 ½ ton stones to see who is the king of the castle. As well, a ride on a camel is always a good photo opportunity. The wind is quite cool and blowing strongly as we experience a mini sand storm. I can taste the sand in my mouth and feel it on my face. Not great for picture taking but a real taste of what life is like for those who have to endure these harsh nomadic conditions. The final part of the Giza puzzle is put in place with the viewing of the Sphinx. Truly an iconic symbol of the Egyptian civilization. I was surprised by it’s size which was pale in size to the pyramids. To me it was somewhat underwhelming but nevertheless a memory I will treasure. As I write this we are en route to Luxor to meet our ship. I look out the window and all I can see from our Canadian made Bombardier CRJ900 is the vast desert with low level mountains. Brown, desolate and bone dry. Occasionally I can see a road stretching for miles in a straight line. What a harsh climate for both men and camels. Talk to you from the Nile in a few days. Shalom.