Pyramid central, camel jockeys and another bus ride ...

Cairo/Giza ... 11/19/2008

After breakfast at the "palace" we hopped on the bus for a repeat drive into Giza and the site of the pyramids.  This time it was in daylight and we were taken up to the actual pyramid and  Sphinx location.

Our guide took a count of people wanting to ride a camel (either single or double) and then cautioned us not to get suckered into a camel ride on our own ... getting on the camel is free ... getting off however is at whatever price the camel jockey tells you ... our guide would arrange for all of us that wanted to ride and we would pay later in the day when we settled up with the tour company .. a "single" was $15 and a "double"  would be $25 ... as you can see by the pictures all of us opted for the singles.

As we walked around the pyramids it was amazing to try and picture what it was like 5000 years ago.  Essentially a bustling "city" existed to support the workers.  Our guide was adamant that the pyramids were not in fact built by slaves but rather by dedicated Egyptians that viewed the Pharaohs as partly divine and considered it an honor to work on the pyramids.

There were of course hundreds (thousands) of tourists from all over the world just like us gawking at the incredible size of these monuments ... but in addition to tourists there were many many many school aged children present ... clearly with their school classes on a field trip.  They were all smiling and waving at the "Americans" and eager to talk to us, tell us their name and to "welcome us to Egypt".  Linda had brought a number of ball point pens and was very popular with the students as she gave them away.

After our alloted time taking pictures and wondering around we were herded back on the bus and driven further up the hill to where the camels were tethered and set up to take riders.  The air was pungent with the "aroma" of camel ... and sweaty camel jockeys ... made ones eyes water. 

The temperature has been a pleasant mid-60's while were have been in Egypt with mostly clear sky's.

>From my perspective mounting and riding a camel wasn't that much different than a horse.  The camel is kneeling or "sitting" on the ground with it's legs folded under it, one uses a stirrup to mount onto the blanketed "saddle" and then you alternately lean back and forward as the camel unfolds it's long legs and stands up in sort of a two part action.  Camels are tall.

Once mounted the camel jockey in his long flowing "dress" (not sure what they are really called) and tennis shoes and dark shades hands you one "rein" and basically leads the camel and constantly talks to the beast so he doesn't just stop.  My jockey was very talkative and insisted on taking several pictures of me as we went along.  The ride was only about 1/4 mile and at the tail end he allowed me to "trot" the camel to get a feel for the animals gait ... it was mostly smooth and I felt very secure for the whole short ride.  Once we stopped the camel was "instructed" to re-seat itself which again involved a series of bends and dips.

We had been told that tipping the jockeys was expected .. I gave him 2 euros which he was not really happy with and was asking for "paper" money ... so I took the two euros back and handed him a US $5 ... he still wasn't thrilled but as I walked away he said he'd like to have the euros ... I gave him one of the two and he seemed satisfied ...

After all the riders were done we ... boarded the bus yet again and were taken to another restaurant for lunch (about 12:30pm this time) and then back on the bus to our final destination before the long drive to Alexandria.

Our last Cairo stop was at a "government approved" papyrus store and tourist store combination.  We were given a brief demonstration on how papyrus was made and then encouraged to buy some of the wonderful art on papyrus they had there.  We also did some brief shopping for souvineers and then boarded the bus for the 3+ hours drive to Alexandria.

We arrived at the port about 6:15pm and the ship sailed for Rome (Civitevicchia) at about 7:45PM.

This will be the last posting before we get home to Texas ...

Today is actually Friday 11/21 and we just passed through the Messina straight ... we will arrive at the port very early on 11/22 ... we are scheduled to get off the ship about 9:30AM tomorrow .. we DO believe we have successfully scheduled a ride back to Rome with the same guy that drove us from Rome to the port ... so fingers crossed he will be waiting for us.

Carolyn and I will stay the night in Rome and leave very early on 11/23 for the airport hoping to be home around midnight.

Our companions Woodie/Linda, Paul/Jeannie are going to the smaller airport in Rome and hopefully flying out late back to Germany where they hope to catch another military transport back to the states.

It's been a great adventure ... we are ready to be home ... I'll post lottsa pics in the gallery once I'm home and have some time ...

Hope you enjoyed the trip!