----- Cairo, Egypt ---------------

Dry, hot and full of bandits is how I would describe Cairo. However on the outskirts of the city is the only remaining wonder of the 7 ancient wonders of the world, the pyramids. I must say they are massive. It is amazing to imagine that ancient people without today's modern tools and technology actually built these. The Sphinx was equally amazing. As I sat next to the Sphinx I began to contemplate how many thousands of years this monument of ancient Egyptian culture has endured. How many man have passed this through the milleniums and civilizations risen and fallen. Yet, the Sphinx silently sits, paws stretched out revealing nothing of what has passed beneath its eyes over the eons.

Once at the pyramids it is loaded with tour buses and tourists. Worse though are all the bandits trying to squeeze money out of you. They want money for everything from taking their picture to obtaining simple directions or getting recommendations. I learned the magic word to say to them, "la shakur" which means no thank you in Arabic.

After visiting the pyramids I ventured into Cairo, crossed the Nile river and entered into the Cairo National Museum to see Egyptian antiquities. I actually went into the museum with a guided tour group to learn more of the history. Our guide asked if any of us knew who Egypt's only queen was and when I responded Queen Hatchupset her jaw dropped. I was evidentally the first person on her tour that got the answer right as people generally say Cleopatra or Nefertiti. She asked me if I had been to Egypt before. I simply responded "no, I just like to watch the History channel". The highlights of the museum were obviously seeing the King Tut exhibit, plus it was the only air conditioned room in the museum. It was a welcome relief to the stuffy heat.

The other exhibit that I enjoyed greatly was the Akhenaten section. He was an interesting Pharaoh. He actually abandoned the polytheistic religious view and adopted a single god doctrine. He promoted that Aten the Sun god was the one god with no exceptions. It is believed that he had Marfan's syndrome due to the elongated facial and body features. Interestingly many have tried to erase his name from history as he was viewed as a rebel and heretic. What I do find fascinating is that Akhenaten depicted in sculpture the human body with its imperfections, such as the degredation of the body due to age such as fatty areas and slouching due to bad posture. The remnants from his period are the only like it. All in all, it was a cool exhibit.

Unfortunately, taking pictures was not allowed in the museum so I have none to share. :-(

Egyptian chariot	Viewing into the Sahara desert	Cows on a scenic drive
Egyptian bandit posing at the pyramids	Another view into the Sahara	Building entrance below the pyramid
Great pyramid of Kefren	Posing with the pyramids	Another shot at the pyramids
Oasis with cool rock formations	Small oasis on the edge of the Sahara	Egyptian outpost near the pyramids
Southernmost pyramid	Sheer heights are amazing	Smaller pyramid in front of larger
Shanty towns w/ pyramids in distance	Sphinx w/ Kefren's pyramid behind	Sphinx w/ its paws
Pyramid, Sphinx and me	Nice side shot of the Sphinx	Friend Tomas on a camel
Traps for pigeons, Egyptian staple	Looking at the Nile river	Another shot of the Nile
Cairo National Museum	Monument in central Cairo	Fertile land along the Nile