"Finally............." a Pyramids of Giza Travel Page by leics

I've been fascinated by Ancient Egypt since I was tiny.

I've taught about Ancient Egypt for 20 years.

So when the opportunity finally presented itself, of course I had to visit Egypt, even if only for a daytrip (from Cyprus).

So I did.

Nowhere near enough time, of course. Hands shaking, rushing to take as many photos as I could.......rubbish photos of course. But still entirely wonderful to see them, even though they are so familiar, even though there are visitors and hawkers everywhere, despite the litter, despite the thin horses, despite everything............

I hadn't realised the site was full of other tombs and temple ruins..no time to explore these, nor to go inside (nothing to see inside anyway).......but, if there were to be time, an hour or two would be needed at least.......

And no time to see the wooden boat, housed in its monstrosity of a museum..........

Next time, perhaps. I hope.

If the chance arises, go.

Expect to be hassled, though I wasn't at all really; as a woman alone, I expected to be but a 'no thank you', with a dismissive gesture and no eye contact, seemed to work. Maybe it's my 'teacher's voice', maybe I don't look rich enough (I'm not!), maybe I looked like 'a strong woman' (my guide's suggestion).

But they are there to make a living, the camel men and the horse men and the boys selling postcards and headdresses....so one must expect to be approached......and we are, in the main, far far better off. After all, we are visiting Egypt.......

And the Sphinx......people everywjere, of course. Yet it is still magnificent, set apart from the people now so at least its dignity. I had never known (or had forgotten) that it had a tail......but of course, lions have tails!

Nor had I realised that the water table was so high; it is affecting the ruins.

Nor had I realised a vast mortuary temple lay immediately to one side of the sphinx, its vast granite stones almost as impressive as those of the pyramids.

But I know that now.

So: I came for a short while, I saw, I absorbed what I could. I am satisfied with that. But if there is ever another chance, I will grasp it with both hands.

You should too.