Egypt-Day 6: Giza, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx

What a difference a day makes! Poor Sarah got the "tourista" bug during the night so she and I stayed at the hotel today. Nick, Nicholas and Lindsey went off with our group to tour Giza; the sight of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.




GIZA:

Giza is the name given to the gigagntis burial grounds of ancient Letopolis(now Cairo). They cover an area of 2,000 sq meters on a plateau. This is the only seven wonder of the ancient times that remains today; they have existed here for more than 4500 years! The Sphin and the three Great Pyramids are all that remain today. The three funerary complexes, from biggest to smallest are Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus. Each complex had a mortuary temple, a causeway and a valley temple. They are situated on this desert plateau in such a way that none ever hide the sun from the others. At almost 150 meters high, The Great Pyramid of Cheops, also known as Kheops or Khufu, is the oldest and the biggest pyramid in Gizah. The accepted theory is that pyramids were built to be the tomb of the pharaohs, but the actual purpose of these pyramids is still not clear. Cheops. More than two and a half million stone blocks were necessary to complete it. Chephren’s Pyramid, 136 meters high, is somewhat smaller than Cheops but may appeaer larger as it’s on higher ground. The Great Sphinx, 26 meters tall, lies in line with this pyramid. Sphinx’s were mythical creatures with human face and body of a lion. They were placed near temples, thought to be guarded by lions. The Shpinx’s face is a portrait of Chephren himself so really he is guarding his own temple. Mycerinus’ Pyramid, 62 meters high, is smaller than that of his uncle, Chephren.


Camel drivers in front of Cheops...




Nicholas and Lindsey having some fun with the pyramids...







The Great Sphinx...





From Giza, the group went to tour a papyrus factory. Papyrus, a thick paper-like material produced from the pith of the papyrus plant, was once abundant in the Nile Delta of Egypt. In addition to paper, ancient Egyptians used this plant to make boats, mattresses and mats. Today there are vendors everywhere selling papyrus but most are selling fakes. Being at the factory gave us an opportunity to see how it is made and buy the real thing!


Back at the hotel, Sarah was feeling a bit better so that afternoon Lindsey stayed with her and Nick, Nicholas and I went back to Giza for the evening "Sound and Light" show. The elaborate show is "narated" by the Sphinx himself. During the show, it is his booming voice telling of the history of the great pyramids. Nick found this comment by 'him' particularly moving;

“Alexander, Caesar and Napoleon paused at my feet. I saw the ambitious dreams of conquerors whirling like dead leaves. Tomorrow once more the rising sun will give his first caress and thousands of other suns shall rise again, and man’s oldest achievement will remain the highest, the purest. The Nile be praised, for it is the Father of all our harvest, knowledge, our architecture and all our strength.”



Tomorrow we are going to the Egyptian Museum, tour Old Cairo and visit the souks.