Egypt

Giza

Located just outside of Cairo, the pyramid complex at Giza is one of the wonders of the world and a sure stop on every visitor's itinerary.

Although the town itself is a ratty, seedy introduction, it was setting the scene for some of humankind's greatest buildings.

All guarded, of course, by the baksheesh asking professionals of the Egyptian camel-mounted police force!

Here we go!!

Since we were there earlier than many of the tour buses, we had the place (relatively) to ourselves for the first hour or so.
Entering the gate, the first thing you see is the Sphinx. Yes, this is THE SPHINX!!	Right in front of the pyramid of Khafre, the second biggest and the only one to retain part of the casing stones at the top.

Found the typical camel hanging out...

Susan even climbed the bottom few levels of the pyramid - see her on the blocks there?

We took the obligatory photo in front of the pyramid...

And got the full-on wide view of the pyramid itself.

Fooling around a little bit, and looking at the complex. From left to right, the Great pyramid of Cheops, Khafre's pyramid, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and several adjacent 'queens' pyramids

As the crowds started coming, so did the touts, including these camel ride givers that Alea and Breck saw


Many groups of visitors come, from all over the world and all over Egypt: the boys above are on a trip from an Islamic school. And, if there is money to be separated from a tourist, there are always people willing to do just that!

Interestingly enough, Breck and Alea got to see the pyramids before mom and dad! They went with a tour while we were still in the conference, and we had to sneak out with some friends from Bulgaria (via Kuwait) to see the sights 2 days later - so no family photos here!

Still, a humbling and awe-inspiring day: seeing some of the most noted structures in the world.