Saqqara and Dahshur - More Pyramids



A short distance from Cairo is the necropolis of Saqqara, an extensive area of tombs, mostly around a walled central courtyard. This is the entrance.



Past the entrance is an aisle framed by thick columns.  Columns were still experimental at this time, so they were attached to the wall behind them as a backup for safety.



The step pyramid at Saqqara was the first to be built, by architect Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser in about 2700 BC. It is under repair as the stones are crumbling. The dot in the middle of the second level is a man pushing a wheelbarrow.

 

Part of the courtyard. The entrance seen is actually a fake to fool tomb-robbers.



These are some of the real tombs.



A short drive away is Dahshur, with a first attempt to build a pyramid without steps. It was half completed when they realized the slope would make the structure unstable, so they modified the shape - it's called the "bent pyramid".



This photo shows how large each stone is - compare them with the tiny people in front.



Our coach, our driver and our tour guide par excellence - Heba.



We were always under protection by an armed guard. He's carrying semi-concealed.



Cairo Views

Cairo, taken from the Pyramid plateau.

Busy Cairo intersection, typical apartment buildings.




Tahrir Square, with the pink Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in the background, and construction in the center. The tour of the Museum was fantastic, especially the Royal Mummies. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos inside. Many pictures can be seen at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Museum

 

On the other side of Tahrir Square is a large grey government building, with a typical traffic jam on the street.

This is the entrance to the charming restaurant where we had lunch.





Cairo is a city of contrasts - a donkey cart and a modern bus.

 

This donkey cart, driven by two boys, holds a dryer.

 

This is the home of the children on the left.

 

Abandoned shack, green parkland, apartment buildings and the Pyramids.



Camels, Great Sphinx, Solar Boat



Steve and I, on our camels.



There are lots of sphinxes in Egypt, but this is definitely the Great Sphinx.



Every site has its vendors.



The Tourism Police were on guard, and also selling scarves and statuettes.

The white building is the Solar Boat Museum. The purpose of the boat was to transport the soul of the Pharaoh to the heavens. 



This boat was found in a stone trench beside the pyramid, in hundreds of pieces, and carefully reconstructed.



A view of Cairo from the area of the Sphinx.



The evening light show - lovely.



Khufu, Khafre and Menkaura



Steve and I in front of the Great Pyramids.



I climbed to the top burial chamber in Khufu's Pyramid - the entrance is the dark area near the center.

 

Two of the crumbling smaller pyramids for noble wives.



Some of the royal tombs to the right of the Great Pyramids.

Some ongoing excavations, with a patient donkey standing by.



First Day in Egypt

On our way, 6:30 PM, October 12, 2012 - 10-1/2 hour direct flight from JFK

 

Mercure Le Sphinx Cairo - hotel lobby



Astonishing view from our room window



Thanksgiving - Love that Yarn!

Aren't they sweet? -

from left to right, that's Lucas, Gilbert and Liliana.

The boys loved playing with balls of yarn they found in a basket on a side table. They loved it so much, this was the result.  Lucas is holding it on his lap in the picture. (Yes, I rewound it.) Think they'll be future knitters?

Nurnberg / Nuremberg

Nurnberg seems to be most closely related to Hitler and the Nazi party. This arena, built by Hitler's architect, Albert Speer, is the Zeppelintribüne, one of the few Nazi buildings in Nurnberg still standing, as the city was bombed extensively during the War. The field was used for huge rallies in the 1930s, and there is a platform where Hitler gave speeches. This is the Palace of Justice, where the Nazi war criminal trials were held. Many of the major Nazi leaders were convicted and executed, the most famous being Hermann Goring. The film "Judgment at Nuremberg" was based on these trials. This is the entrance to the Imperial Castle. The oldest parts date to circa 1200. These buildings are in the Castle grounds. Here's Hugo, peeking behind the Imperial Crown.A view of city rooftops from the Castle.An ornate tower in one of the main Nurnberg squares.Albrecht Durer's home is well maintained, and beautiful.A city street in the older section, rebuilt since the War.The figures in the clock more around at the hour.