Last days in Cairo

The complex around the Step Pyramid
see all photos »

We got to Cairo in the morning, and dropped off our stuff at the hotel, before heading out again.  We went first to the Step Pyramid of King Zoser.  It's much older than the great pyramids, so it was really cool to see.  Then we went to another temple and smaller step pyramid, which we got to go inside.  The temple was really cool, as the walls were really well intact and you could see the details in their carving and also a lot of the original color.  The pyramid was kind of an adventure though, as the electricity that they had wasn't working, but they told us we could go in anyways.  Some people had flashlights, but most of us didn't, so it was an experience.  We made our way to the tomb fine, but on the way back the people with flashlights led, and all of a sudden we saw the light getting farther and farther away.  At this point we were in the part of the pyramid where you're almost kneeling because it's too low to stand, so there were about 5 of us who were like Aaah!!!  because once the light left it was pitch black, and parts of the wall had rocks jutting out.  It actually wasn't that bad, but it made you think about how scary it would be to be left behind in a cramped pyramid in the dark, so it was only slightly nervewracking.  We made it out though, and then drove to Coptic Cairo, where we saw a lot of Coptic Churches that were really pretty.  They reminded me of Byzantine Orthodox churches, which was really pretty.  We stopped in one church where Mary and Joseph were supposed to have stayed before going to Bethlehem I think or after or something like that, so that was kind of cool.  After that they took us to the market in Cairo, which was gigantic.  We walked down for forever until we got away from the touristy parts and they were just selling weird things like sheets and weird clothes, so we had to make our way back.  I bought souvenirs, and one storekeeper even said to me "For you, I kill my wife" so all in all, a pretty good day, ha.  After that we went back to hotel for a little bit, and then went on the farewell cruise on the Nile.  It was pretty much a regular cruise with a buffet and weird entertainment, but it was fun, and it was a nice way to sort of do one last thing with the group.  It was one guy's birthday, and they literally gave him and entire giant cake for free so after we went up to the roof and had some cake before people went to bed.  The next day we slept in a little, and then made our way to the airport to catch our flight back to London.  Basically, I really loved this trip.  It was so cool to see all of these ancient wonders, because you can't really comprehend how amazing they are and how skilled the Egyptian people were until you see them in person.  And modern Egypt was just a culture so different from anything I've ever experienced before, so it was really a good experience I think.  I'm just so glad that I got to do this, I wish I could have stayed for longer!