Pyramids of Giza

While most of us are familiar with the Great Pyramid of Giza, there are actually three pyramids here. Khufu (also called Cheops or the Great Pyramid) stands at 481 feet high. Next up is Khafre at 471 feet, then Menkaure at 213 feet. Each is named after the king for whom they were built. And while The Bent Pyramid feels like it's in the middle of the desert, the Great Pyramids are right next to the city of Giza. Giza is located  across the Nile River from Cairo, with a population of 30 million. Looking from these angles, you might think that these pyramids are in a remote area. They are not. Here’s a view from the city. 

So now that we have our bearings, time to explore. 1st off, these pyramids are just plain massive. You really don't get a sense of their size until you stand next to them. And when you do, your next thought is how in the hell did they build these? I mean, we need cranes just to build a three-story structure. And, it's said they were built in 20-30 years. AND, while the pyramids are largely built from sandstone, the interior chasms and chambers were built from granite shipped all the way down the Nile from Aswan more than 540 miles away! (More on Aswan later). It all just blows your mind.

So after getting a good dose of these beautiful structures, it's time for the obligatory camel ride. You just gotta do it, no matter how silly it feels. Now these are some interesting creatures (camels) for sure. My guy didn't seem all that happy to have to lift me up off the ground. I suppose all the buffets they've been feeding me didn't help. But up he finally went, rocking me forward so far I thought I would tumble right onto my head. But I held on for dear life and got my ride around the desert. The camel guide even held up a rock while taking my picture to make it look like I was Atlas or Hercules, or something like that. 

(Silly, but fun!)

Next we moved on to what I had been waiting for... the Sphinx. I'm told that there was a large chunk of granite in front of the pyramid site that the king wanted removed. But the project manager was getting so delayed dealing with the slab of granite, he finally told the king that instead of removing it, he would make a beautiful carving in his image. So, due to some quick thinking on the foreman's part, we now have this beautiful sculpture that draws you in from every angle. It truly is mesmerizing. Smaller in person than you might have imagined, but still beautiful and breathtaking with the pyramids in the background.

Other members in my tour have arrived, and I am now in a group of ten explorers, all trekking around Egypt. So much to see, and so little time. Samar, our trusty guide, is keeping us moving. So off we go. Next stop: The temples of Sakkara and the Step Pyramid.