Pyramids are EVERYWHERE in Egypt!  We walked out on our balcony this morning and we discovered we could see the Giza pyraminds through the haze

We started our excursions today visiting the Step Pyramid complex in Saqqara. 

We were actually able to enter into another pyramid,  the only 1 in Egypt which still had some color on the ceiling., a blue field with stars.  

The tomb of  Kagemni there in that complex also has some more colorful painting still on the scenes of the temple walls.  They are scenes of daily life of the period, hunting,  fishing,  raising cattle,  etc. 

From the Saqqara complex you can actually see 2 other pyramids, the Bent pyramid and the red pyramid.  Both we’re built by the father of Khufu, the king and builder of the great pyramid.  

We had a chance to visit a carpet school where the families of the Saqqara area work.   The children start learning at about 10 years old and quickly learn how to tie the knots and follow the patterns,  to eventually join the family business.  Many of these beautiful carpets take months to complete!  They are made with silk,  cotton,  or wool, or a combination.

Both busses met for lunch together then traveled to Giza to see the complex there.   The 3 larger pyramids, Cheops, Khufu, and Menkaura are surrounded by tombs of royal family members,  workers who built the pyramids and nobles.  There are even several small pyramids for royal family.

First the largest. Cheops.   2 million 300 thousand stones weighing from 2.5- 15 tons each we’re used in its construction in about 2700 BC, a phenomenal feat even on today’s age!

Our 2nd stop at Giza, we could ride the camel and get the panorama picture of the 3 pyramids together.  Fun and a classic memory of Fifa for anyone.

Our last stop was to see the Sphinx and the temple compound below it

It has been a busy,  fun, wonderful day!