Memorable Meidum - Loved it!

  Meidum, Egypt
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A day full of special memories.  The childrens joy and appreciation of receiving badges and climbing in the mastaba were experiences that I shall remember for a long time.

Disappointing Sunrise

I woke this morning to the call to prayer at 4.30am.  It continued for at least 1/2 an hour.  I couldn't get back to sleep due to mum's snoring so when I heard the birds, I got up and went out on the balcony to watch the sun rise.

Fishermen on Lake Qarun

I watched the men taking their boats out on the lake fishing.  The majority of them are big row boats. Not easy work!

As we were leaving, a group of 5 small children were trying to sell necklaces that they had made of shells. They were so poor.  They were so dirty and wearing rags.  It's sad.  When I went to hand out the badge saying "Leaki" for a girl and "Leak" for a boy, meaning "for you" they went crazy, grabbing and clawing at me.  I think that they thought there was only one and they all wanted it.  Lucky that Saleeb (our guide) was there to speak to them and calm them down. I showed them how to put them on.  They were so happy and even after I got on the bus they stood under my window smiling and waving.  They were all comparing badges and smiling and yapping away. They were so appreciative and happy over such a little gift. They had no idea what a kangaroo or koala is.  It makes me want to help them.

As we kept driving, we saw mothers and children scavenging through the rubbish along the road and in the desert (tip?).  They were carry tins to collect things in and had bags balanced on their head.  I have no idea what could possibly be in the rubbish that they would want.

We soon stopped at another police checkpoint and picked up another vehicle of armed police.  Now we had a vehicle in front and one behind.  This made 9 or 10 armed police for 13 tourists and 3 guides!  We got a bit closer to the truth today.  The tour guide spoke about how the area was closed after the Luxor bombings in 1997 (she didn't tell us that the extremist were from this area even though everyone in the tour group already knows it) and how it became even poorer without any tourists and that they don't want this to happen again so are over protective of tourists.
First stop was Meidum Pyramid.  It was originally 8 levels but now 4 due to an earthquake.

Maidum Pyramid and Oasis

There are many artifacts buried in the area (located by ground and vibration xrays) but they have not commenced excavation.  They have armed guards here 24/7 who have orders to kill anyone attempting to locate or take artifacts.  7 people have been shot to date.

Queen Phartu Mastaba tunnel

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Outside of Mastaba at Maidum

We went firstly into the Mastaba to Queen Phartu (not sure of spelling).  We had to crawl down a narrow 47 metre corridor, balance (crawl) across boards, cross over a hole and get down a very doubtful ladder (made of two strips of wood with panels hammered across) into the tomb.

Ladder inside Madium tomb

  Not many people tried it.  Mum gave it a miss.  Inside the coffin remains.  It is bigger than the entrance and it remains a mystery to this day how they got it in there as they can't find another entrance and the tomb was dug into solid earth with the Mastaba laid on top.  There must be another entrance somewhere.

Inside the Tomb Maidum

I was glad that I was one of the first to go down as it got very dusty when we were all down and it would have been terrible in the tiny corridor.  You could take photo's in this tomb but it was a mistake as with all the dust, it got into my camera and when the lens cover closed, it scratched the lens.

The sarcophagus of Queen Phartu

Alex wouldn't have been able to go into this tomb as it was too narrow and small and I don't think the rungs on the ladder would have supported him.  It was real Indiana Jones stuff! Lots of fun.  It felt real, not touristy!

Then we went into the main Meidum pyramid.  It was easier than the one yesterday but mum gave it a miss as her legs are hurting too much.  This one didn't require bending and it wasn't as far down, as you could see the lights at the end of the shaft.  The cavern at the end has a fake wall which leads to the main tomb, where there are still treasures remaining to be found.  That's what we were told anyway but I think that it would have been opened already if they really believed there were treasures inside!  Who can stop themselves opening a present?

The police escort was with us all day but after leaving the Meidum area, it dropped to one vehicle again.

We continued on our way to Minya where we shall stay overnight.