I saw pyramids today! Very exciting, but let me fill you in up to that point. Last night when we got back to the hotel after seeing Coptic Cairo, the 5 of us, plus several other girls that had arrived, went to an Egyptian restaurant. Our tour guide came with us which was a big help because the staff there spoke no English. I ordered something called Fatta. It was basically crispy pieces of bread, topped with rice, topped with beef and something sort of like tomato sauce. It was very good! Another girl ordewr grilled pigeon! She said it wasn't very filling, but tasted similar top chicken.
When we returned to the hotel, we had our first official tour meeting. There are now 18 people in the tour - only 2 guys and the rest girls! Everyone is between 20 and 35. About half of the group is from Australia, 1 from South Afirca, 1 other girl from the States (Tennessee), 2 from Canada, 2 from Taiwan, and a few from the UK. So far I really like the group - we all seem to be getting along really well, and we all have the same hopes and fears about the trip.
This morning after breakfast, we headed to the Egyptian Museum. I could not BELIEVE how big it was and how many artifacts they have uncovered from various pyramids, tombs, etc. It was so amazing. Some of the things we were looking at dated over 5000 years old! My favorite part was the mummy portion - we actually saw several mummified Egyptian kings - hair and everything! So creepy!
In the afternoon we headed for the famous pyramids. We spent nearly an hour just taking pictures and marveling over how old and huge they were. There were camels everywhere, and tons of Egyptians trying to rip us off in any way they could. Offering us a free ride on a camel, and then charging to get off the camel! Good thing we had a tour guide to warn us about these things!
After the pyramids it was off the Sphinx! Not quite as large as we had imagined, but still guite impressive. We finished the day by seeing a demonstration on how papyrus is made (paper made from a reed-like plant). We just got back from the market (familiar brands! yay!) and now we have a few hours to chill out and prepare for the evening. Yes... the evening consists of a 14 hour train ride. We were warned that this is the worst part of the trip, the bathrooms are horrible, and we will get no sleep. Should be interesting... I've packed my carry-on full of lysol, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper!
When we returned to the hotel, we had our first official tour meeting. There are now 18 people in the tour - only 2 guys and the rest girls! Everyone is between 20 and 35. About half of the group is from Australia, 1 from South Afirca, 1 other girl from the States (Tennessee), 2 from Canada, 2 from Taiwan, and a few from the UK. So far I really like the group - we all seem to be getting along really well, and we all have the same hopes and fears about the trip.
This morning after breakfast, we headed to the Egyptian Museum. I could not BELIEVE how big it was and how many artifacts they have uncovered from various pyramids, tombs, etc. It was so amazing. Some of the things we were looking at dated over 5000 years old! My favorite part was the mummy portion - we actually saw several mummified Egyptian kings - hair and everything! So creepy!
In the afternoon we headed for the famous pyramids. We spent nearly an hour just taking pictures and marveling over how old and huge they were. There were camels everywhere, and tons of Egyptians trying to rip us off in any way they could. Offering us a free ride on a camel, and then charging to get off the camel! Good thing we had a tour guide to warn us about these things!
After the pyramids it was off the Sphinx! Not quite as large as we had imagined, but still guite impressive. We finished the day by seeing a demonstration on how papyrus is made (paper made from a reed-like plant). We just got back from the market (familiar brands! yay!) and now we have a few hours to chill out and prepare for the evening. Yes... the evening consists of a 14 hour train ride. We were warned that this is the worst part of the trip, the bathrooms are horrible, and we will get no sleep. Should be interesting... I've packed my carry-on full of lysol, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper!
hay im so sorry i didnt get in contact with you before you left but im iv joined your follower group so im not far away,post some pictures please and did you guys have a camera man filming when you crossed the street like when you skydived ? love it and live girl
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