The Great Pyramids!

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So I got to see the Great Pyramids of Giza!  I can sum them up in one word: breathtaking.  As expected, they are huge, but one cannot truly grasp their grandeur until they stand next to them.  We only went to the Giza Plateau (Saqqara and Memphis will have to wait for another day) but it was definately enough for one day.  Shelbi and I woke up early, successfully!:) caught the bus, and rode it all the way to the pyramids.  It took us about an hour to get there.  Luckily, the weather was nice for the whole day, and it didn't even seem to hot!  There were a few tour groups there, but we went on a Tuesday, which is one of the least busy days of the week.  We were able to walk around quite freely...     There are three main pyramids at the Giza Plateau.  The pyramid of Khufa is the largest, then the Pyramid of Khenafru his son, and then the smallest is the Pyramid of Menkaure.  There are also three small Queen's pyramids next to both the Great Pyramid (Khufa's) and Menkaure's.  And of course...the Abu al-Hol (Father of Terror) himself, the guardian of the Giza Plateau...the Sphinx!     At first, we attempted to get the Egyptian price (2

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guinea) but were unsuccessful.  They apparently don't care that we live here.  So we had to settle for the student price (25 guinea).  The entire trip, 2 G there by bus, 25 G ticket, 2 G back, = 29 Guinea.  That is roughly $6 US to see the Great Pyramids!     So we walked around the pyramids, took a lot of pictures, warded off people trying to get us to ride camels or be our tour guides.  At one point, we decided to climb one of the small Queen's pyramids near Menkaure's.  Unfortunately, we got whistled down by a "guard" who said it wasn't allowed.  Then he said it just wasn't safe, this pyramid had "bad stone" and we should climb the other one.  For just 20 Guinea apiece!  So apparently he wasn't really worried about our safety (because honestly, the one he wanted us to climb was much sketchier than the one we were already halfway up) he just wanted to get some money out of us.  We said no way, and then when he left, we climbed it anyways.  Awesome view.     I also learned something about myself at the pyramids.  I do not like horses!  At all!  Shelbi and I wanted to go over to the Sphinx, and after climbing the pyramid, were a little tired.  A young boy of 18 (go to school!) happened to come up with two extra horses, offering us a ride for 20 G apiece.  After bargaining him down to 10, we said hey why not.  So we each hopped on our respective horses (mine was Buttercup, Shelbi's was Saddlebags, the first things that came to our minds?) and set off for the Sphinx.  The boy was really nice, and found us and our arabic amusing.  He kept saying, "want to make small fast?" and then would get the horses to start a slow trot/gallop.  Uncomfortable, "no I do not want to make small fast!!"  And Buttercup seemed a little jumpy.  Everytime I touched her she would neigh and spaz out a little bit.  It was really not fun at all, I was nervous the whole time, thinking that this horse is going to take off like a bullet and send me flying.  Let's just say I was happy when we got to the Sphinx and I dismounted Buttercup (ungracefully).     The Spinx is really intimidating.  He's

I can sum them up in one word: breathtaking.

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situated at the base of the Plateau, guarding the Pyramids.  "Abu al Hol" is a fitting name for him.  It seems that he is calm, relaxing in the sun, but is ready to pounce on any threat posing danger to the Pyramids.  Too bad he was napping when the all the grave robbers came and stole the antiquities.  Also too bad that we're not allowed to go near him, but instead had to view the his giant form from a platform.  And Shelbi and I really wanted to climb on one of his paws and take pictures:(     All in all, we had a great day at the Pyramids.  The bus ride back kinda sucked, but we're pros by this point.  Just imagining how much work went into building the pyramids, the type of work (I don't know, do you?) and what was stored in them.  Their significance in the ability of mankind to overcome the elements (although I guess their not "necessary" to survival-their still pretty badass) but to create something amazing that will be treasured for centuries to come.  Woww.

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*I put a few pics on this entry, but haven't downloaded them all yet due to both a slow connection and my own laziness.  Luckily, Shelbi is on top of it...check out her pics  at

http://flickr.com/photos/43735818@N00/sets/72157605425112200/