Egypt - July 2002

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After seeing the tomb, we went down to where the Sphinx is. There are many pyramids (over 100) along the Nile but only 1 Sphinx. The Giza pyramids has 3 great pyramids and several smaller ones (I think he said 9). There are many other sites where there are pyramids but the only place to see the world famous Sphinx is right there in Giza. I've always wanted to see the Sphinx so it was a real treat to finally get to do so. They're rebuilding the feet but Ahmed said he thinks they'll leave the face alone (missing nose and all).

From the Sphinx we went to where Ahmed recommended for me to ride a camel. He said the people right around the pyramids charge too much. The person he knew took me on a nice ride (about 10 minutes, just perfect) for 20 Egyptian Pounds (a little under $5). I tipped a few bucks since it was such a good deal. Oklahoma was pleasant to ride. Just remember to lean back when the camel gets up or down ;-)

After the camel ride, we went to see a couple of places that offer traditionally made Egyptian goods. First, we stopped at an incense store. They sell Egyptian made fragrances and allow you to smell several 'free of charge'. I suppose it is possible to walk out of one of these places without buying anything (more on that in a bit) but the stuff is so unique, I just had to get a small sample. In addition to the 'smelly oils' (they get mad if you call it perfume as that has added alcohol), they had a nice selection of fine glass perfume bottles. They offered us a mint tea while we smelled the fragrances and looked around.

Mike got some "Secret of the Desert" (they wouldn't tell us what's in it but said it would "keep you up all night" ;-), and I got some Royal Ambar. The Ambar smells nice and is supposed to be very good for the skin. Ahmed says he has used it for years and at 67, even in the hot climate there, his face is surprisingly smooth. I don't know how prices usually go (Ahmed seemed to know the better places to go) but we each got small size bottles for about $15 which sounds cheap to me. This particular place sells their oils to the big name French perfume makers who, they say, "add alcohol and mark it up to very expensive prices". Apparently, the basic fragrances are mostly made in Egypt, essentially by hand extracting the oils from the flowers and plants. Interesting stuff.

Moving right along, Ahmed took us by a place that makes authentic papyrus paper and artwork. He said much of the stuff sold in Cairo (this was a bit out of town) is lower quality and usually made from sugar cane or other plants (not the actual papyrus plant). The shop we went to grows their own papyrus and demonstrated to us how they make the paper. He said he'd guarantee it for 2000 years in writing (of course, the guarantee would have to be on papyrus too, right???). There were several pieces I liked but I was really not prepared to bring anything home. They were sure interested in selling me one though. I politely declined (several times) and they seemed okay with that. The smaller pieces ran from $10 - $30 and the really large pieces by the more famous artists ran upwards of $500, give or take after negotiating. They had some scenes of the first Egyptian wedding and would even put your names on it in hieroglyphics. Nice touch...

By the time all that was done with, we were ready to get back to the hotel. I was so tired I forgot to take the pictures I had intended to take from the hotel of the Nile, Cairo Tower, and the entrance to the Cairo Museum. I guess I'll just have to go back...

Another musician shot	Playing the harp	The bull giving birth	Mike in front of Pyramid 2
Varrin in front of Pyramid 2	The tiny dots at the bottom left of the pyramid are people!	The Sphinx in front of the pyramids	The shot every tourist has to have
Ahmed said there are over 100 pyramids (big and small) but only one Sphinx	Pyramid 1 (the tallest one) to the right, Pyramid 2 and the Sphinx to the left	Getting on the camel	This was fun, I must admit
The camel's name was Oklahoma	A newer cemetery near the pyramids	Mohammed, Oklahoma, Me and the pyramids	The Sphinx with Pyramid 1 in the background
I took this from the camel	Mike didn't want to ride. He didn't even want to get close to the camel	Art inside the fragrance shop we visited	We got the whole demo on how they really make papyrus