Woke up at 8 and am stoked to see one of the ancient wonders of the world. I have always wanted to see the pyramids and today that wish will come true.
Took a taxi to the old campus. The guy heard my American accent on my Arabic and tried to rip me off. Told me 20 LE, I laughed and walked away. He followed and consented to 5. Got to the old campus and met Mike Airosis at the bus.
Got on board and soon we were off. Sat with Mike, Mikey, Natalie, Henry, and Collin. On the way over one of the professors leading the trip gave us the history and significance of different parts of the city. It was really interesting because it gave us more meaning to the different parts of the city we walk through daily.
After about half an hour we arrived at the pyramids. We got off and were given our tickets (I love free trips!). We then proceeded towards the pyramids. We got a brief overview and history by the professor and then were given time to walk around and check it out. It was crazy being on the pyramid. I was standing on stone used to build a few thousand year old tomb.
After walking around the Pyramid of Cheops (larger of the pyramids) we were led on by our guide to three smaller pyramids. Every pyramid apparently has three smaller pyramids nearby to house the queens and families of the pharaoh. We got to have a tour of these pyramids and check out one of the burial chambers for the nobles. Pretty cool, but I woulda preferred to go in the big pyramid. Unfortunately, you have to come before 8 and pay extra to see that. Maybe, before I leave.
After the tour of the ‘Queen’s Pyramids’ we walked towards the Pyramid of Khafre. The second smaller pyramid. In between the Cheops Pyramid and the Khafre Pyramid is the sun boat. The sun boat is one of the boats put in covered pits surrounding the pyramids. These boats where left near the pyramids so that the pharaoh could use them to ride into heaven in the afterlife. This particular boat was discovered less than a hundred years ago in the only untouched pit. It was then rebuilt and put on display.
After the sun boat we went to a view point that offered a great panorama of the three pyramids. Took some pictures and then moved on to the sphinx. The sphinx was smaller than I expected. It always looks so large in the pictures. Still cool to see though.
Anywho that concluded the tour and we took the bus back. Talk with Mike on the way back about grad school. He has very similar ambitions as I do. Not sure I’ve mentioned this but he was telling me the other day that applications are due at the end of December which is much sooner than I thought they were due. I really need to get on that it I’m going to apply this year.
Got back to downtown and went to get food with everyone. Went to falafela. It was good, but I still feel it is way to Americanized. After lunch took the metro home.
Once I got home it was time to hit the books. Gonna be another tough week of school. Studied until late. Ate some foul as a snack. Called Sara. Went to bed.
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