The Big Huge Triangle Thingies, and Their Funny Looking Pet Cat

Next, we got to visit one of the 8 Wonders of the Ancient World. A real highlight!

I was there!!!!!! I never really thought I'd ever get over there, but I did!

Sarah, our Guide, and Chana - Walking like an Egy-pti-an

The Great Pyramid and the Middle Pyramid are set up to allow tourist to enter into the depths, to the burial chambers. Our wise guide suggested that we only do the middle pyramid, as even that has a long enough passageway where you are doing a monkey-hunch and shuffle waaaaay down, then waaaaay up. (Sure enough, my legs felt it the next day!)

On the way in...

In the dimly lit burial chamber itself, there was a sarcophagus with its lid removed and to the side. I couldn't resist. I climbed in it, and crouched down, ready to "boo" a poor unsuspecting tourist. So bad!

So, anyway, I am the only person I know who lay in a sarcophagus and lived to tell about it! :)

The Sphinx says hello

Mighty friendly fellow!

And I thought Israeli driving was crazy!

Not quite as bad as Egypt.

Cairo was actually less littered than many parts of the world I have been in, but it was dingy. There was grey soot all over the buildings, most of which look like they had never been painted to begin with. The "beautification" projects of trees and flowers was mostly absent. And cars and people EVERYWHERE. There were some beautiful areas, don't get me wrong, but in general it was not the Cotswolds.

The picture above was taken on one of the holy days, so vehicle traffic was minimal... The below picture more closely resembles the standard traffic density. Just picture the cars moving fast and rather randomly.

Crossing the street was hilarious. Chana and I were afraid that we'd lose life or limb as we attempted to check out the restaurants on the other side of an eight lane road out in front of our hotel. But, as we are resourceful women, we would stake out unsuspecting locals to be our cover.

We'd sneak up to them - desperately attempting to appear like everything was normal - and then stay r.i.g.h.t. there at their side... with THEM the ones closest to the oncoming traffic. They move, we move. They stop, we stop. Cars zooping in front of us and behind us. Taxis changing lanes and honking. Motorcycles weaving in and out. Piece of cake. (Breathe.... breathe.... you're still alive...)

Some pictures of the various loads in motion we saw...