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- Sep 27, 2024, 12:30 PM
- ☀️ 32 °C
- Altitude: 58 m
- EgyptGizaAbu SirPyramid of Djoser29°52’10” N 31°12’60” E
Saqqara and Memphis
September 27 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Cairo Day 2
What an incredible day. After breakfast (felafals, labna, and all sorts of exotic sauces) we met George who we have “hired” to show us around Saqqara and Memphis as these aren’t included in our tour. We had naively considered grabbing an Uber and exploring on our own but have changed our minds and it certainly was a great decision.
Firstly we went to learn how papyrus is made which was fascinating and bought ourselves an eternal calendar which is pretty special. Then we requested a stop at the jeweller who makes cartouches (pendant with my name in hieroglyphics), as that is something I have long wanted. I am super happy with it too.
Along the drive to Saqqara I was mesmerised by the sights; ladies carrying huge packages on their heads, families on motorbikes, donkeys and camels pulling carts laden with fruits and vegetables, kids playing soccer and so, so much construction. George explained that the building owners have to pay tax on all finished works so instead, they leave the buildings incomplete to avoid having to pay 😂
Also, whilst it is so very dusty, there are also men with brooms sweeping at every turn so the streets all look very tidy.
Saqqara contains the oldest complete stone building complex known in history, the Pyramid of Djoser and a bunch of tombs.
Mind completely blown.
We walked down into a tomb and saw walls covered in hieroglyphics telling all sorts of amazing stories. The entire thing was underground. We got to explore about 5-6 tombs, many of which were made up of several rooms and all had walls carved and some painted with hieroglyphics. I could not believe that we could just walk around and even touch the carvings! I felt uncomfortable doing so, so didn’t. But wow, these are more than 5000 years old. It was like walking through a make believe world.
We then went to Step Pyramid which is how they were built before they figured out how to make the smooth walled ones (can’t wait for Giza).
It was the craziest thing my eyes have ever witnessed. There we were, in the middle of an actual real life desert, and this incredible towering structure was just……there! and it was built before cranes or anything like that.
The one we saw was around 60m high. The Great Pyramid of Giza is 150m……I don’t think I will be able to comprehend that.
Head still spinning, we stopped for lunch and had a little dance with some music men before going in. Lunch was delicious and tasted even better due to the fact it was air conditioned!
Our last stop of the day was Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Here lies a gargantuan statue of Ramses II. The precision with which these things were made, the scale and detail has to be seen to be believed.
There were loads of other artefacts in the area but unfortunately most have been destroyed over the years by people using the stone to make their own homes.
It is extremely hot but luckily for us there is also a bit of a breeze. The heat really does take it out if you though.
Tonight we have a Nile River cruise with dinner and a show.Read more
It all sounds really fascinating. Cant wait to get there next week. Xxx [Victoria]
Traveler It is so different to anything we have ever experienced before. It is amazing!
The Nile is so beautiful Di. Not what i was expecting. Hope you love it. Have you heard the call to prayers yet? I loved that also. 💕 [Anna]