What can I say other than wow?  No matter how many times you see a photo of something, the real thing is just so much more spectacular.  Our day on Friday started with a visit to the pyramids.  You can actually see them from our hotel, they are that close to downtown Cairo.  It boggles the imagination to consider how much material was moved at a time when technology was so primitive.

As with every monument you visit all over the world, especially in countries with significant poverty, there are  many people trying to sell you postcards, or head wear, souvenirs or camel drivers wanting you to take their picture.  If you buy from one, then you are besieged by all the others looking for their piece of the fortune.

Our TCLP group leader commented on how few people there were compared to last year at the same time she was here.  The revolution has taken a serious toll on tourism.  Our tour guide said it has been a difficult year.

Here I am standing on the great pyramid near the entrance.  I am with Michael Michael Hydak (l.) from Austin, TX and Michael Kuban from Washington, D.C.  The same first name for all three of us made it easy for our Egyptian hosts to remember our names!

We did not go inside the pyramid.  They only allow a limited number of people per day to do that early in the morning. It is hard to believe that this structure was once completely covered with a smooth facade.

Joining the group for a photo is Zara Hovhannisyan, Senior Program Officer from American Councils.  In this photo you can see the three largest pyramids in this area.  There are quite a few other smaller pyramids as well.  In fact, as you look around from this vantage point, you can see a lot of pyramids.

From the pyramids, we traveled a very short distance to see the sphinx.

I will write more in another blog!