Rock the Casbah: 11.11.11.11.11 At the pyramids

We didn't know about all this numerology madness, so went to the pyramids on 11.11.11

We were able to get into the pyramids complex but the Great Pyramid was closed (we were there just 15 minutes after gates opened and so hoped we might get a ticket) so we got a ticket to go inside the Third Pyramid instead.

It turns out that yes the Great Pyramid was closed for the numerologist event and they'd thought of closing the whole complex, but decided to keep it open but to increase the security around the place (lots of police and a couple of army guys and tanks too). It was shortly after we got into the complex that they decided to close it to cars too, so we were lucky that Said had suggested we come early becuase we got in and he could drive us up to the viewing platau and around the whole site.

It was really smoggy on our way to the pyramids and I was a bit worried for a while that we wouldn't be able to see the tops of them. After an hour or so the smog lifted, and it even cleared accross the city by the time we were ready to leave.

I got a text from Scotty as we were there saying how jealous he was that we were going inside the pyramids in Giza, but the Thurd Pyramid is actually a lot smaller than the red pyramid at Dashur. Inside it was pretty much like Dashur in that there was no decoration. The two chambers are a slot smaller than Dashur (they don't have the valuted ceiling) but it did have a cool burial area (where there were multiple niches, almost like in the catacombs).

We had the normal hassle with touts and hawkers and to be honest there were a fair number of people at the pyramids - it definitely didn't feel "quiet" there. Two interesting encouters did take place. The first was just outside the sphinx where a small girl asked Chin something in Arabic. A young man who was with the group then translated to say that she was asking what was on her face! (the answer being freckles, but I guess these just aren't common in Egypt). We then got talking to the young man and the rest of their group. They were quite excited to hear that I was a teacher out here and promptly introduced me to one of their group who was a professor! (I guess the rational was that we were both in education, but I didn't find too much to talk about!) After we finished talking they took some photos with us which was a little odd, but fun. Later, as we were leaving the sphinx area another older lady came up to us. This time she wasn't asking about us, but just said "photo, photo" and it became apparent she wanted a photo of me and her son. I dutifully complied; standing beside him and putting on a smile, but then she moved us round - no she didn't want the sphinx in the background but the tank!

After that fun we moved on to Saqarra. Although there was a tour bus or two pulled in, it felt like we had the site to ourselves. We walked around the Step Pyramid and then took the car to see the Mastaba of Ti with all its stunning heiroglyphs, relief and colour. After this we had the obligatory lunch at the Tourist Restaurant where the rice was shaped in a heart and the band played for a prompt 5 seconds each time someone entered or left the restaurant!