So today I visited the only remaining
ancient wonder of the world. It was big, it was dusty, and it was kind of a hassle. Which is not to say that it wasn't also magnificent, precise and beyond imagination. Cause really, it was those things. An Aussie from the hostel and I took the metro to Giza and managed to hop a bus to the pyramids. When we got off (were told to get off), we asked where the pyramids were - then we saw this. It is hard to overstate how polluted Cairo and Giza are - they are very polluted, but this view was pretty spectacular.
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| There it is poking its head over the suburbs of Giza |
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| The two bigger pyramids |
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| The Sphinx! |
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| The lines are incredibly precise - to 5 mm over hundreds of meters |
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| This was the most intact of the original casing - it must have been a sight to see! |
We wandered around for a while, every few meters being accosted by some tout asking if we wanted to buy anything - I got one photo of a woman being followed by one - I saw several people actually running away from people trying to sell scarves, trinkets, camel and donkey rides, water bottles, anything. Even after we walked through the gate a man asked us for our tickets - we finally speculated that he would 'check' a ticket and then start a tour for which he would charge. We walked through the entrance twice, after getting tickets to inside of the big pyramid - he actually grabbed my arm as I walked past him, which did not make me happy. Here's a photo of a woman being 'touted'
It was worth it, however, to make it all the way into the pyramid and all the way back out again with only a few moments of panic! Yes! The triumphant photo:
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| yesssssss |
Behind the pyramids and entirely unattended by guides, guards or touts was what looked like an old city - I've not been able to find anything on it - so if anyone has an idea about what it is I'm all ears. Here are some photos of that:
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| These were some of the coolest areas, maybe cause we could make our own way |
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| It was old! Everything felt old! |
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| I took this today - even if it looks old as hell for some reason |
Cemeteries:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giza_pyramid_complex_%28map%29.svg
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/gizacemeteries.htm
I am so horrifically jealous of you right now.
ReplyDeleteCool. I've always had this dreamy dream that I want to see the pyramids. Seeing that I'm a Baha'i complicates things (or maybe I won't have to tell), but it's sure nice to see you, friend, over there. Way to go, Sphinx, to hold out till Kevy comes.
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