Pyramids!

It's hard to write about the pyramids because:

a) it's tough to describe the only remaining ancient wonder of the world in a blog post

and

b) we learned so much on our trip to Egypt that my ancient Egyptian history is a bit of a mess.

Nevertheless, I'll do my best and I'll let the pictures do the rest.

To begin our tour we saw King Djoser's (step) pyramid at Saqqara. Constructed around 2650 B.C.E. it is the oldest standing step pyramid in the world. I know that what amazed me most, not only about this pyramid, but about all of the pyramids that we saw is how well-preserved they are. Considering they were constructed in a time before industrial adhesives and automated stone cutting it is incredible that they are in such good condition. I would also say that their condition is good in spite of the efforts of Egyptian authorities. Until only a few years ago tourists were allowed to climb the broken parts of the Great Pyramids and while we were there we saw some punk kids doing just that. From what our tour guide told us, the stones stay in place not only because of their tremendous weight, but also because they were sanded so effectively that a vacuum was created between the surfaces of adjoining blocks.

Saqqara is not only a Pyramid, but an entire complex dedicated to the king. The structure that one walks through to get up close to the pyramid is a hypostyle hall [a flat ceiling supported by columns] where the king was supposed to place gifts for the Gods. There are also numerous other structures for burial or ancient rituals that are now in various states of disrepair though it does look like some restoration work is in progress.

The hall that one walk through to get to pyramid.


Djoser's Pyramid.


It's me! And something in the background.


General awesomeness.

Ruins near the pyramid.


Cheese!

The size of the pyramids is greatly exaggerated.

Find Sam and Justin in the Hypostyle Hall...they could be anywhere!

Our next major stop was, of course, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Though it had been implied that the camel ride to the pyramids was included in the tour, (Ripoff alert!) it was not. So we proceeded to "bargain" down the price to a more affordable $30 ish dollars/person. Included in the price was the opportunity to approach the pyramids from the desert side and take some incredible pictures (seen below). Camel riding was a blast, and though we were mad at having to go through the whole negotiating process we all decided that it was well worth the money. Near the Great pyramids there are also six other pyramids that were built for the family of one of the Pharaohs'.

Camel rides are Sam's favorite! OK, I lied. Second Favorite.


View from the camel.


Yalla! Yalla! Yalla! (Hurry in Arabic)

I can't believe they gave Justin a whip for the camel.


Only thing missing is the cowboy hat.


Me! And some distracting triangles in the background.

At the encouragement of the camel guide we took a bunch of goofy pictures when we got off the camels to admire the view:

Some general tomfoolery.

I think according to Egyptian law, if you walk like an Egyptian at the pyramids you don't get ripped off.....just kidding.....you get doubly ripped off.


The second Pyramid built...it's the tallest. Over 4,000-years-old.

Another shot (Justin's editing).


B-e-a-utiful.


An imposing construction.


Next to the the aforementioned pyramid.

OK, OK, it's big.


Hey...I think that Sphinx is checking me out.


Bye Giza!

Following the pyramids we rode down to the Sphinx, only a minute or two from the pyramids. You cannot get as close to it as you can to the pyramids, but the view is still really impressive.

Later that night, after some rest from spending the day in the desert sun, we took a dinner cruise on the Nile. There was a smorgasbord of food, a dancing midget, and a terrible belly dancer who probably got hired because she was sporting some very largely "enhanced" breasts.

This was an amazing day....you can't beat a day at the pyramids. This alone was worth the trip to Egypt. If any of you out there get two weeks or so and have the cash I strongly suggest going--you'll have a blast.

There are a lot more pictures, but I think what I've put up is overwhelming enough. I'll try twittering in between blog posts to let you guys know what I'm working on. I might also use it to let you know what I'm doing (although not why I got it and that's what the blog is for).

Next blog post: White Desert!

Stay Tuned....