Day 15: Memphis and The Pyramids

We headed out early in the morning to visit, Memphis, Egypt’s ancient capital city. There was not a lot to see, as the stones from the Memphis were long ago removed and taken to build monuments in Cairo. The biggest draw for visiting Memphis was a MASSIVE statute of Ramses II. The size was overwhelming, and it was amazing to see (on closer inspection after we stopped marveling at the size of the statue) the detail in the facial features, hands and fingers, knees and leg muscles.
We had to stand on the second story of a building constructed around the statue of Ramses II to get the full view!
Little me next to big Ramses II.

Photo op at a sphinx discovered at Memphis.
I thought this statue, discovered at Memphis, was tall...until we saw the statue of Ramses II.

Our second stop was Sakkara, the location of the oldest pyramid in Egypt, the famous “step pyramid” constructed for King Zoser. It was built by Imhotep, an engineer, doctor, and general genius that was so smart he was eventually worshipped as a god! We entered the site through a long columned corridor built to look like a palace, for King Zoser to use in the afterlife, walked out onto an open courtyard, and stared up at the ancient pyramid. At the edge of the courtyard opposite the step pyramid we looked down into a 90 ft. hole where King Zoser’s organs were buried. It was an interesting site to see and explore. And the first pyramid we saw in Egypt!


Paul exploring the other ruins at Sakkara.

On our way from Sakkara to the Great Pyramids of Cairo, we stopped by a carpet school. Our guide explained that the government set up several carpet schools in the area of Sakkara during the last 50 years as a way to promote the education of local children. Villagers were reluctant to permit schooling for fear that, once educated, the children would move away from the village to the city. The carpet schools were set up to teach kids to read and write, and at the same time, a “handiwork skill” that would keep the kids in the village and increase income. To be honest, it looked a little like a sweatshop. A lot of cute little kids sitting in front of massive looms tying knots so fast that all we saw was a blur of little hands. Paul asked all sorts of questions, like the number of hours per day the kids work, commission, etc. I guess we got satisfactory answers. The carpets were gorgeous, but at over $2000 we decided a souvenir carpet was not meant to be. Someday.

Our final stop of the day were the Great Pyramids of Giza. It was amazing to see the size of the massive pyramids in person. We even got to climb part way up the “greatest” Great Pyramid – the big pyramid made for King Cheops. We bought tickets to enter one of the pyramids (the “second greatest” aka the second biggest) and hunched over as we walked down a steep narrow hall to the center. I don’t recommend it for the claustrophobic! Pyramids are solid stone structures except for the hall to the burial chamber and the burial chamber itself, so it was a quick visit in and out. I thought the most impressive of the sites in Giza was the Sphinx. He was massive and carved from a single block of stone estimated to weight several hundred of tons! The Sphinx’s nose is missing and our guide explained that early Christians and Muslims likely defaced the monument in an effort to exterminate heathen beliefs.
Pyramid of King Cheops (the biggest).

Me climbing the pyramid.
Paul climbing the massive rocks of King Cheops' pyramid.
Us in front of the "second greatest" pyramid, built for King Cheops' son. We later explored the inside.
Us in front of the three Great Pyramids of Giza.
Us with the sphinx and pyramids.


After our visit to the Great Pyramids, we had lunch at a hotel called the Mena House. It was a site in itself! The Mena House was originally constructed as a palace to house the foreign dignitaries that were visiting for the opening of the Suez Canal. It was gorgeous. And we ate lunch in a pretty restaurant with big windows that looked out on the Great Pyramids.
Windows at the Meno House that look out on the Great Pyramids.
Paul enjoying lunch at the Mena House.

After all the sites of the day we were exhausted and spent a nice, boring evening not exploring.