Part 2

Trip Start Oct 30, 2007
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Trip End Nov 18, 2007


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Thursday, November 8, 2007

Ok, so where were we:

Weds (Nov 7) - We woke up early and headed to the Valley of the Kings across the river.  We saw the Collosus of Memnon (named because of Greek graffitti carved into one of the legs relating the statues to their gods).  Afterwards, we got onto donkeys, and tried to stay on donkeys as we rode up the side of the mountain to get to the valley.  Kristi had a great donkey that she called "donkey" but pronounced it like Shrek does... Kev's experience was once again so, so... let's just say that he prefers camels.  On the ride, we saw the worker village as well as many other ruins.  After we got most of the way up the mountatin, we walked the rest of the way just as the ancient workers did to get into the valley.  We had the same fantastic guide from the day before.  We visited four tombs - Ramses I, Ramses III, One I can't remember the king, and then King Tut's.  They were each so different it was great to see the contrast, and only about a week ago or so they had put Kin Tut's Mummy on display inside the tomb so we actually got to see his mummy.  Very cool.  We also visited Hebu Temple (I think that was the name) which is the most complete temple prior to any restoration that they have found.  It still had so many of the original colors, it was beautiful.  We also visited an alabaster factory to see how they make the various pots and carvings by hand as well as a papyrus shop.  Cool to see.  We ate lunch at our guide's house.  His wife did all of the cooking - it was fabulous food!  And, it was neat to see the inside of a house.  Very, very simple but adequate.  We chose not to go into the Valley of the Queens as we were all templed out for the most part (hard to believe but it does happen).  Since I was able to see Hatshepsut Temple from the mountain when we were on our donkey ride I was ok with not actually going into it.  So, we kicked back on the roof of our hotel and put our feet in the pool.  It felt good cause it was HOT.  Finally, we caught the sleeper train to Cairo.

Thurs (Nov 8) - We arrived in Cairo at 6am and hoofed it for 10 minutes to the hotel.  After a shower and a nap, we had a free day.  So, we chose to visit Coptic Cairo and go back to the Khan al-Khalili bazaar.  Coptic Cairo is so interesting.  Churches that date back a thousand years or more.  Some built on top of roman ruins.  We visited the Coptic Museum and saw some of the earliest paintings and images of Jesus and the bible.  We also went to the famous Hanging Church and another that claims that the Holy Family hid in a cave there during their escape through Egypt.  And, we then walked around an old christian cemetery which was just really cool.  Afterwards, we haggled for a taxi (got out of one cab cause he wanted 50 egp, and another taxi driver said he would take us for 15 so we went with him).  Our driver was great because he took us by the City of the Dead which is this area that the poor have moved into - it was a cemetery with all of these monument buildings that they have moved into and taken over.  There's at least 5000 people living there.  We had wanted to see it but our guidebook said that it was a bit iffy during the week, so to be able to go by it was a nice surprise.  We also went around the Citadel which is just amazing to look at.  Finally, we made it to the bazaar and proceeded to shop and haggle. In the end we only bought one thing, but it's still fun but tiring. 

Okay, that gets you caught up to this point in time.  We leave tomorrow for Mt Sinai (7 hour drive - yuk) with a stop at the Suez canal along the way.  We are hiking up to the top of the Mt after our drive - I'm sure our legs will need it.  Then, Sat and Sun we are at a beach camp on the Red Sea for just some pure relaxation and snorkeling - can't wait!  The next time we will have internet is when we are in Jordan on Mon.  So will do our best to write then.  Will try for one more entry with some observations as long as internet stays around!
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