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What an amazing day - I was so tired when we got back to our room that I kind of crashed after putting my phones and lap top on to charge. Even though it was only early my mind was spinning with all that we had seen and done that I didn't even try to write it all down, and I think I was probably asleep before 8.30pm.
The day had started with breakfast in the restaurant downstairs before meeting our Egyptian Tour Guide Dalia in the foyer at 8.30am
What followed was a full on day - being driven around Giza in a mini van. First stop Memphis where we met our first hagglers trying to sell us postcards, pyramids, statues, bookmarks, you name it they were trying to sell it to us. There was an Anxious Moment, but thankfully not a Heather AM. Our leader Linda discovered her wallet missing. A bit of mystery as she hadn't used it all morning, and she wasn't aware of anyone being close enough to her to steal it out of her handbag. Dalia assured her that she had kept a close eye on all of us, and hadn't noted anyone getting too close. And as there aren't a lot of tourists around, the places we visited weren't really crowded. So Dalia suggested we go back to the hotel and just check that Linda hadn't left it there. And yes - it was there on the bed. She had got distracted while packing her handbag - talking to us and giving us a rundown on what to expect today. So Rule 2 -- do not talkto room mates while packing.
Of course the highlight of the day was the pyramids. Just to be standing in front of these amazing structures, trying to fathom how on earth they were built, and even more amazing how they stay there - each stone placed and staying in place without the aid of cement. And another fact we learnt - as the pyramid gets taller, the stones get heavier rather than lighter. It's way too hard for my wee brain to comprehend but Dalia told us that engineers from all around the world have found it hard to understand as well.
We also got to have a short camel ride in view of the pyramids.
Lunch was at a lovely Egyptian restaurant - a selection of dips and breads - hummous, babaganouch, falafel made from fava beans rather than the chickpeas that we are used to, and very spicy egg plant. Everything was really delicious.
Dinner was delicious as well - In another really nice restaurant overlooking the pyramids, in a prime position to watch the nightly sound and light show. We were indoors so couldn't hear the narrative from Omar Sharif, and the light changes were very few and brief, so I am quite pleased we didn't have to pay to go in.
We visited a papyrus store and saw the process for making it and viewed some exquisite pieces of artwork, and went on to a perfume shop and learnt about the oils and their uses. Much as I would have liked to buy some of their essences and beautiful hand blown glassware, it is only Day 1 of our trip and we will have to carry the stuff with us for the rest of our holiday. But both Linda and I felt awful not buying anything from the guy who was so friendly and provided us with a lovely 'hospitality' drink of hibiscus. This would be a good shop to visit on the last day when we gt back to Cairo if there is any spare time.
And then it was time to negotiate the traffic back to our hotel. There are people everywhere, cars, trucks, motor bikes, people, horse and donkey carts all surging forward in order to get to where they need to go. There is no sign of road rage, they just all meld and merge and get there somehow.
It was an amazing day, and our Egyptian Tour Guide Dalia is a lovely young woman, who talked openly with us about life for a woman in Egypt. She told us she is 38 years old (doesn't look anywhere near that old) and is not married which is most unusual for Egyptian women. They are expected to get married and have children. She is a very strong personality and handled the restaurant staff and hagglers with much assertiveness. Our day in Giza would have been a much different experience if we hadn't had her to look after us. I was pestered to buy a wallet at the pyramids, and Dalia stepped in and bargained and I go two for 10 pounds (Oh my goodness that is only $1.88 NZ)
So now time for some sleep in preparation for another full on day tomorrow.
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