The pyramids...

So we are on our last night in Egypt and it has been an interesting trip to sum it up in one word. Egypt has one of the greatest histories on the planet with tons of artifacts and remnants of the previous years. Our hotel for example was an Egyptian palace that has now been turned into a hotel, so in the main lobby and restaurant areas it was palace rooms, the decor and furniture and everything is beautiful and very nice for around here. Because of this festival that has been going on it has been very very busy on the streets and in the hotels, but unfortunately most of the stores and usual dining places have been closed. This has made our normal routine of wandering on our own very challenging.

After our trip to the museum and seeing how differently people have been reacting to us we decided to do what we hate... A group tour. But it was the BEST decision! Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the sights we were seeing but was also amazing about educating us about the dangers and what to avoid prior to going somewhere.

The day started out with a trip to the old Egypt capital, Memphis it was a couple of ruins and a large pillar statue that was found at the sight. We then went to Sakkara, this is the site of a couple of the original pyramids that have either been destroyed outside or are being reconstructed. They have found a lot of artifacts around these sites and continue to dig there. We were able to enter a pyramid here where it was actually decorated inside. We were not supposed to take pictures but discovered that everyone can be paid off here so our guide happily turned away.

We stopped at a local falafel and schwerma place for a quick lunch which was excellent and so cheap! We even drove through TAHIR square to get to it. Our guide informed us that if you want to protest your government you come here, if you get into a fight with your wife you also come here to protest and he said it was mostly on Fridays and was mostly about stupid things. However we got a glimpse through his eyes about the injustice of the government and how things have changed for the people of Egypt. It has changed so drastically in the past 2 years that people are barely scraping by. The garbage and pollution of the city has increased and its probably the dirtiest place we have ever been with dead animals on the side of the road, and I mean horses, dogs, sheep. It's sad and I feel bad for the people because they have all been very hospitable and welcoming to us.

Anyway carrying on to the afternoon we headed out to the pyramids with 5 other tourists and our guide. Because of the festival out guide said it was crazy busy compared to normal. It was mayhem!!! People everywhere, horses and carriages everywhere, camels everywhere! People climbing all over the pyramids, riding horses and camels, vendors selling everything, or even trying to place it strategically on you so you have to buy it. We were so happy at this point to have our guide, we were able  to get away from the main crowds and up to a look out that had all 3 pyramids in one shot. It was so much nicer. We went into another one of the pyramids here and while waiting tout side had a bunch of locals asking for pictures with us and trying to talk with us. It's like we're aliens. W ended the tour with the sphinx and they unfortunately got dragged to " shops" stupid group tours and their stores anyway we didn't buy anything from any of them and finally returned to out hotel 2 hours late.

We quickly had to change and get ready for our night out... We did a lovely boat dinner cruise along the Nile that had a band and singer and a belly dancer! It was a great end to the night.

Today we went to the famous market they have here, only because of the festival there are still a lot of shops that are not open. But we succeeded in buying a sheesha pipe, a great/stupid experience that I am glad is over. Geoff was able to bargain a price that we wanted and I am very impressed that he has learned my cheap bargaining ways.  The market was fine by our own and we were glad to have gone. People for the most part were happy to hear that we were from Canada but they have coined a couple of phrases about us Canucks, either " Canada Dry, never cry" or if you walk past their shop it's " Canada Dry, never buy"

It's been a great time her and its time for our final dinner before heading to Jordan bright and early tomorrow morning. We've been hearing about all the crazy weather and warnings going on so were hoping that everyone is keeping safe and out of danger!