June 23-The Pyramids

With the anticipation of seeing the pyramids for the first time, Theresa had a very hard time getting to sleep, it was like going to disney for the first time.  We met our Cairo guide Mohamed and began our day long tour, first to Memphis the first capital of ancient Egypt where the most impressive artifact was the giant statue of Ramses II.  As it is now there is not much to see as all the temples have been dismantled and were used all long time ago as building materials in the new kingdoms.  After Memphis we went to Saqqara to visit the museum and step pyramid of king Zoser.  It was an impressive site as they house the oldest mummy in Egypt dating 4500 years old.  They are still digging in 11 sites at this time and uncovering many wonderful artifacts.

On to Giza to see the pyramids.  As we arrived it was hard to believe how majestic these structures truly are.  We were able to climb up the long corridor of the great pyramid and enter the burial chamber.  Brad and I were in there by ourselves for several minutes as we let out the sound of OM and experienced the haunting echoing of our voices, it was truly amazing.  Then we descended back down the long passageway to the outside.  Mohamed had many interesting things to share with us as we continued our tour to the back side of the pyramid where the solar boat museum is, what a find that was.  Then up the hill to ride the camels and down to the bottom to see the Sphinx.  To many details to share at this time, but a wonderful day and it still seems a bit like a dream!!! Tomorrow we fly to Aswan and to Abu Simbel, then on the Nile River.  Keep you posted!!!