Egypt was a blast, except for the few who suffered from the results of produce or water consumption. Some are still suffering the consequences of those choices. These were the highlights of our trip. There were a lot of long bus rides and hot hot days. It was more than worth it. I got to see some of the most amazing sites in history and experience a culture that is so different then anything I have ever seen. Pictures are coming as soon as I can go up to Hebrew University to load pictures up.
Tut!
The first real day we woke up early and made our way to get in line for the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx. it was amazing! I could not believe I was standing right next to the actual pyramids. As we went into the entrance we went through a small tunnel and then saw a small ladder like walk way up a narrow tunnel going up. There is 0 ventilation so you feel like you can't breath and it smells awful but still amazing! We went all the way to the top chamber where the coffin is kept. It was just a big open room with the empty coffin towards the back. I did climb inside just so I could say I did it. Then for the next 20 minutes it was an intense music session. Everyone was doing chants and Prince of Egypt type music with weird calls and and high pitch tribal calls. it was honestly so cool. We could hardly breath yet we all stayed up there sweating our brains out to sing songs. After that we went over to a look out of the 3 pyramids and then to the sphinx. That night we took a 1 hour flight to Luxor and began our next city.
We started the next day with a ride over to the Valley of the Kings. We got to go inside King Tuts tomb and several of the Ramses tombs. It was amazing. Some of the original pigment is on the walls. Once again these places are like steam rooms. You sweat from just going inside them. It was so cool to try and picture what it would have looked like back in the day in its full glory. Then we headed over to queen Hatshepsut's Temple and got a very long history lesson there. We also got to stop by the pit where Joseph Smith's mummies came from, which was really cool to see. That night we went back to the hotel and headed down to the Nile where we climbed into a Felucca( similar to a large sail boat) and took a ride down to the field where we were starting our camel rides. My camels name was michael Jackson. I don't think he liked me very ,much because he tried to role on top of me as i was getting off. Seriously though that would have been really funny if I had gotten crushed my a camel in Egypt, just for story purposes. That night we went back and tried ot go into the city to go shopping but it was super lame and our driver lied to us and took us to the wrong place and charged us more for our carriage. Not to mention he did drugs. Don't worry my friend Taylor told him all about how drugs are bad so I'm sure it will stick.
The Next day we headed out early in the morning on a motor boat ride to the Karmak temple. it was AMAZING! I loved it. We got to go into the old temple and see all the pictures of washing and anointings from Egyptian times. I found it all so interesting. I wish iI could go into all te history and facts that I have been learning while here but then my blog would be a mile long so I will spare everyone. We then took a carriage ride to Luxor temple which was equally as cool and amazing. You just stand and stare at it all and wonder how they did it. It really was beautiful. We then got to go over to an outdoor market where I hit it big time with purchases. I walked away with some sweet deals and awesome stuff. Then came the Over Night Train from Luxor to Cairo. I was expecting it to be as bad as my over night train ride last summer from Paris to Italy. It was a million times better. In this case I actually had a bed! I loved it and thought it was fun. Still not a whole lot of sleep but that's okay
The next day we hit the Egyptian Museum and got to see all the treasure of King Tut. It was so cool! Everything was so detailed and ornate. I even got to see a mumified crocodile and real mummies. Then we had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and headed over to the Khan Al- Khalili Bazaar for more shopping and free time.
The next day we woke up and headed over to the Citadel - Muhammad Ali Mosque, and got a tour there and a lesson on the Muslim faith by the one and only Islam.( we are now friends on Facebook). Then we started our long drive to St Catherine's Monastery, and got to stop and see the red sea coast and a real oasis.
The next day was a very very long day we woke up at 2:00 am and drove to the base of our hike we started the hike at 3:00 to Mt. Sinai. By the end of the walk up there i wanted to kill anyone else who asked me if i wanted a camel. Honestly every 50 feet we hear, " you want camel? camel? camel?" Some people finally stated saying no one here wants a camel. We didn't have that much sleep. It was a long hike and a lot of steps but I can honestly say I have never seen a more beautiful sunrise in my life. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We sang a lot of songs while we were up there and on our way down we were able to have a testimony meeting. I felt blessed to have the chance to do that. It is something I will always remember. After that it was one long ride home to the center.
Egypt was incredible and I am so happy I was able to go and see and experience everything!
