Saturday, March 29, 2008

Cairo!!!!!

Where do I start? Getting to Cairo was one of the longest 1.5 days ever. We left Bowling Green at 4:00am on Thursday morning, flew to JFK in NY for a looooooooooong layover. Our flight from JFK to Milan left at 7:00pm and was a 6.5 hour flight. I will say, the layover in Milan was quite interesting. I guess they decided the airport didn't need to be expanded in the last 20 years, which was a bad idea. To get to your gate, you could take stairs or an escalator. We hopped on the escalator, but about halfway down, I realized the area below us was completely crowded with people, so much so, there was no room to get off the moving escalator. You can imagine the pile-up!!! So, while we were waiting on our plane, we had the best time watching other groups come down the escalator then falling all over each other. 2 guys even thought it best to start trying to climb up it. Too funny!!! If only I had the camera ready for that one! From Milan to Cairo, it was about 4 hours by plane, and by that time, I was so confused what day it was. We left the airport at 3:00pm and were able to do a couple of fun things the first day that weren't originally on the itinerary.

In the picture below, clockwise from the left:
leaving the airport
the "president" of Egypt (he loves himself because his picture is everywhere)
Erlene (one of my parents' friends) with a guard at the tomb for the unknown soldier
the lower class section of town (let me tell you, the middle class section didn't look much better!)
Also, on the first day, we got to sail up the Nile. I don't know Cap'n Ahab's name (just an affectionate name since I love his namesake paper line :) but this is a money shot, don't ya think?

It was very overcast, not from the clouds, but from the blowing sand.
Now, onto day 2. We might have found something for some Studio Calico lovers.....
Clockwise from left:
Mom and Dad at the Pyramids right outside Cairo (it's amazing how close to town they are)
The pyramids (the large one, we got to crawl down into. Let me tell you: I can't even describe how hot it was in there and suffocating. The space to crawl down was about 4x3' and descended about 50-75' then ascended about the same before opening into a large area where the tomb would be. Amazing!)
A shiny shot at the pyramid Kyssop
The Sphinx

On the left, Louetta, who is Greg's "hero." She's 76 years old and didn't let age stop her from anything. Not only did she crawl down inside the pyramid above, but she hopped on the camel like she had done it a million times before.

Our last stop of the day was the oldest pyramid, called a "step pyramid" named Sakkura. The palms in the picture are date palms and they're supposed to be an aphrodisiac. I guess that's why the average family size in Egypt is 6.
We're off to the wilderness tomorrow. Seriously. So, I probably won't be able to update until Monday. Shalom!

22 comments:

Kim Faucher said...

wow, beautiful pics April... love that you got to experience that!

Kim F

ps. what a tease with the rolled parchment type paper... cannot wait to see that!!! :)

AnilĂș Magloire said...

What an incredibly cool experience, April. Enjoy and keep giving us updates.
Be safe!!

Emily Pitts said...

how freakin' cool is that!?! i am so excited to see these pictures, what an amazing time you must be having! thanks for sharing with us, even while you're gone :)

stephanie howell said...

holy AMAZING adventure..
can't wait to hear more.
and you know i'm loving the blog update!
xo

Unknown said...

What a cool trip this is. Love the pics!

Cecilia said...

Beautiful photos, April! Have a wonderful vacation!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely amazing photographs! What an incredible trip you must be having!

joanne (spagirl) said...

how fun april!! so glad you all are having a wonderful time!! thanks for sharing all the pics!!!!

justem said...

Wow!!! I just am in awe that you are there seeing everything!!! Love the update! Keep them coming!! :)

diana albright said...

so awesome april. i've always wanted to go to egypt! what a wonderful experience it must be. i love all the pics!

Davinie Fiero said...

Holy Date Palms I can't believe you choose Egypt to finally update your blog. xoxo

You know you bought some date palms.

I didn't know you headed to Egypt with a group!

So glad you are having a great time. And sand! What a great form of exfoliation!

:)

caroline said...

how awesome! sounds like you are having an amazing experience!

Erin M said...

great pictures April...hope to see some more as your trip continues!

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness guys, looks like you are having an amazing adventure! oh the stories you will have to share with everyone, the memories you will treasures for such an incredible experience you are living right now. cheers to that! safe travels on the return and don't go climbing any moving things in the airport! cheers, rachel

www.lostintheattic.typepad.com

Laura Fiore said...

Looks like an absolutely amazing time so far...thanks for keeping us updated! Your photos are lovely!!

ricanlaw said...

Wow..what an incredible life adventure thus far. Can't wait to hear more.

Anonymous said...

April, this looks like the trip of a lifetime. Lucky you for having the opportunity to enjoy such an adventure! And lucky us that we can live vicariously through your post!

liz mataraza said...

very awesome pics, april! thanks for the updates during your vacay time, too!
stay safe!

Kimber-Leigh said...

gorgeous pictures april! what an amazing experience! can't wait to hear more!

Lorie said...

An aphrodisiac??? Sassafrass Foster will be here before you know it!!

Jacquie said...

you are on the most seriously cool trip ever!!! I can't wait to see your next update!
Jacquie

Scarlet said...

Looks like you guys are really missing me :)

I'm not sure if you are keeping up with your comments or not, April, but I really need to talk to you ASAP!