Photos of the pyramids are up.

It is rather unlikely that Napoleon had anything to do with the destroyed nose on Sphinx.
 
jesse said:
It is rather unlikely that Napoleon had anything to do with the destroyed nose on Sphinx.
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I enjoyed the pics, Scott! I had no idea the pyramids were THAT close to a major city.

When I got to your comment about the Sphinx, it was the first time I'd heard that, too; did some Googling and the general consensus is that it wasn't Napoleon's doing.

Although the head of the Sphinx is badly battered in some places, traces of the original paint can still be seen near one ear. Originally it is believed that the Sphinx was painted and was quite colorful. Since then, the nose and beard have been broken away. The nose was the unfortunate victim of target practice by the Turks in the Turkish period. It is often erroneously assumed that the nose was shot off by Napoleon's men, but 18th century drawings reveal that the nose was missing long before Napoleon's arrival.
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Man alive, what a trip. Thanks for posting, Scott.
 
I would go back to Egypt.

Cairo was a weird place, but in a nice way. I never felt threatened, a few times I did feel unsafe. There was one day where the PA systems were blaring some angry guy, at least he sounded angry. Every once and a while you would hear the word Israel or America. I am sure it was not a speech on what fine allies they are and how they are good friends of the Muslims. Then afternoon prayers started and the street filled with men all facing Mecca. It was the only time I was worried they would see the yank and go running after me.

A few times some strange stuff happened with security guards but when they found out I was from Chicago they would say "Obama's town, you ok". I am not trying to be political with these statements so PLEASE do not make more out of this than the simple statements that they are.

If I go back I really want to go to Luxor and see the Valley of the Kings. I also am not a great student of the history of Egypt. What I know is mostly of the Ptolemaic era when Egypt was part of the Roman empire. That is pretty late in Egyptian terms. So if I do go back I need to prepare more. I had only read a little of the New Kingdom period and the some of the other epochs. It helps to know as much as possible. When you consider that the pyramids were ancient when Cleopatra ruled Egypt you start to really appreciate the magnificence of the Egyptians. They truly were the first civilization.
 
smigaldi said:
A few times some strange stuff happened with security guards but when they found out I was from Chicago they would say "Obama's town, you ok". I am not trying to be political with these statements so PLEASE do not make more out of this than the simple statements that they are.
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A lot better than when you would tell people that you were from chicago and they'd make like they're holding a Tommy gun and say "Al Capone!" (Or even worse, like they're driving a bulldozer and say "Richie Daley!":yikes:)
What little I know about Egypt comes from reading fiction like Wilbur Smith. Sad.:frown3:
 
gprellwitz said:
A lot better than when you would tell people that you were from chicago and they'd make like they're holding a Tommy gun and say "Al Capone!" (Or even worse, like they're driving a bulldozer and say "Richie Daley!":yikes:)
What little I know about Egypt comes from reading fiction like Wilbur Smith. Sad.:frown3:
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Yea the most famous Chicagoan is Al Capone...SIGH!

BTW I did bring my razor blades with me to the pyramids and they did NOT get sharp again. I am so disappointed!!

 
Missus has been an avid world traveler for 25 years, did the (high-end) Nile cruise with a group of 12 last fall. All got sick as a dog, symptoms similar to other cruise ship plague. Upon returning, we went direct ER, after which she spent a week in the hospital with dehydration acute kidney failure issues. Fine now, but a scary deal. Those we have talked to since say everybody gets sick. None of them want to go back.
smigaldi said:
I would go back to Egypt.

Cairo was a weird place, but in a nice way. I never felt threatened, a few times I did feel unsafe. There was one day where the PA systems were blaring some angry guy, at least he sounded angry. Every once and a while you would hear the word Israel or America. I am sure it was not a speech on what fine allies they are and how they are good friends of the Muslims. Then afternoon prayers started and the street filled with men all facing Mecca. It was the only time I was worried they would see the yank and go running after me.

A few times some strange stuff happened with security guards but when they found out I was from Chicago they would say "Obama's town, you ok". I am not trying to be political with these statements so PLEASE do not make more out of this than the simple statements that they are.

If I go back I really want to go to Luxor and see the Valley of the Kings. I also am not a great student of the history of Egypt. What I know is mostly of the Ptolemaic era when Egypt was part of the Roman empire. That is pretty late in Egyptian terms. So if I do go back I need to prepare more. I had only read a little of the New Kingdom period and the some of the other epochs. It helps to know as much as possible. When you consider that the pyramids were ancient when Cleopatra ruled Egypt you start to really appreciate the magnificence of the Egyptians. They truly were the first civilization.
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jesse said:
It is rather unlikely that Napoleon had anything to do with the destroyed nose on Sphinx.
Click to expand...

TangoWhiskey said:
I enjoyed the pics, Scott! I had no idea the pyramids were THAT close to a major city.

When I got to your comment about the Sphinx, it was the first time I'd heard that, too; did some Googling and the general consensus is that it wasn't Napoleon's doing.
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I, too, had heard the same thing about the French using the Sphinx for target practice some time ago from various sources. It's interesting to hear those sources were probably wrong.
 
smigaldi said:
Yea the most famous Chicagoan is Al Capone...SIGH!

BTW I did bring my razor blades with me to the pyramids and they did NOT get sharp again. I am so disappointed!!
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Have you checked? It could be that your head is pointy-er!
 
They don't look like they've aged a day since I was there 10 years ago.

TangoWhiskey said:
I enjoyed the pics, Scott! I had no idea the pyramids were THAT close to a major city.

When I got to your comment about the Sphinx, it was the first time I'd heard that, too; did some Googling and the general consensus is that it wasn't Napoleon's doing.
Click to expand...

They really are.... I could see them out my hotel window (stayed at the Semiramis). When I was there, the farmers were burning the fields, so things were smoky and hazy (to the point that the Swissair captian told us not to worry).

When I was there, I took "Spinx of the Day" pictures and emailed them to friends/family.

smigaldi said:
I would go back to Egypt.

Cairo was a weird place, but in a nice way. I never felt threatened, a few times I did feel unsafe. There was one day where the PA systems were blaring some angry guy, at least he sounded angry. Every once and a while you would hear the word Israel or America. I am sure it was not a speech on what fine allies they are and how they are good friends of the Muslims. Then afternoon prayers started and the street filled with men all facing Mecca. It was the only time I was worried they would see the yank and go running after me.

A few times some strange stuff happened with security guards but when they found out I was from Chicago they would say "Obama's town, you ok". I am not trying to be political with these statements so PLEASE do not make more out of this than the simple statements that they are.

If I go back I really want to go to Luxor and see the Valley of the Kings. I also am not a great student of the history of Egypt. What I know is mostly of the Ptolemaic era when Egypt was part of the Roman empire. That is pretty late in Egyptian terms. So if I do go back I need to prepare more. I had only read a little of the New Kingdom period and the some of the other epochs. It helps to know as much as possible. When you consider that the pyramids were ancient when Cleopatra ruled Egypt you start to really appreciate the magnificence of the Egyptians. They truly were the first civilization.
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It's an interesting place, alright. It starts with the airport arrival hall, and then with the ride downtown. NY Cabbies have nothing on Cairo drivers.

I was fortunate enough to be picked up and escorted from airport to hotel by folks from ERTU... they took me out to the Tanta transmitting station and we stopped for a true local meal at a restaurant near Tanta.

I recently had the pleasure of buying an Egyptian a cup of tea (usually it's the other way around.....).

I am mentoring a B-school grad student from Cairo studying in the US. She's a delightful person, and has extended an invitation to visit when I get back to Cairo. I'd like to go back sometime - Valley of the Kings and the resorts on the Red Sea (Sharm el Sheikh) are high on my list.
 
AdamZ said:
looked smoggy . Was it?
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No, considering the fuel smell that was in the air it didn't. I arrived on the day of a dust storm but the sky cleared up nicely when that moved out. The day I was at the pyramids that sky had high cirrus which made being on the desert nice as you did not get a lot of super bright and hot sunshine.
 
TangoWhiskey said:
I had no idea the pyramids were THAT close to a major city.
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Nor did I. Same thing with the Alamo - I didn't realize until I visited it that it's actually surrounded by tall buildings in San Antonio. They do a good job of taking publicity shots that make it look like it's completely in the middle of nowhere.

Looks like a fun trip!
 
wsuffa said:
They really are.... I could see them out my hotel window (stayed at the Semiramis).
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Same hotel I was in. But I was on the back side facing the Mosque instead of towards the river and the pyramids. But at least i got a smoking room with a chain smoking neighbor ont eh other side of the adjoining door. YUCK!
 
smigaldi said:
Same hotel I was in. But I was on the back side facing the Mosque instead of towards the river and the pyramids. But at least i got a smoking room with a chain smoking neighbor ont eh other side of the adjoining door. YUCK!
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When I was there, they were "renovating". Jackhammers started at 8 AM.
 
smigaldi said:
Cairo was a weird place, but in a nice way. I never felt threatened, a few times I did feel unsafe..
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I felt the same way, always watching my back and trusting no one!

smigaldi said:
Then afternoon prayers started and the street filled with men all facing Mecca. It was the only time I was worried they would see the yank and go running after me. .
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See, you should have brought your prayer rug and you have would fit right it :)

smigaldi said:
If I go back I really want to go to Luxor and see the Valley of the Kings.
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You missed an incredible Journey into an area where treasures of the World were found. Yes, it's a must see!
 
wsuffa said:
Ah, it's like the perpetual highway construction through Pennsylvania. I've never traveled on I-81 in PA when it was NOT under construction.
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Chicago has two seasons: Winter and construction.

Williamsport amazes me. They keep on tearing up perfectly good roads and rebuilding them. I don't know if there's some inherent flaw that one can't see, but I know that New York City would love to have these Pennsylvania roads as-is.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Williamsport amazes me. They keep on tearing up perfectly good roads and rebuilding them. I don't know if there's some inherent flaw that one can't see,
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Putting on my best Foghorn Leghorn voice: "That's patronage, son, can't you see patronage?"
 
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