October 17 - Monday

Up and another good breakfast. Terrible smog again. Movie.

On the bus for another interesting drive to Saqqura which is near Memphis.
Movie
Extras

This is a temple apparently dedicated to Imhotep 2650 BC- a genius commoner who designed many things. His official title includes - Chancellor of the King, Doctor, First in line after the king of upper Egypt, Administrator of the Great Palace, Hereditary nobleman, High Priest of Heliopolis, Builder, Chief Carpenter, Chief Sculptor, and Maker of Vases in Chief.

He designed the Pyramid of Djoser - the step pyramid. The step pyramid was designed as a sort of platform or mastaba. However as the Pharaoh lived longer they added more mastabas to the top and kept building.

Lots of ruins and excavation going on here.
Extras

This is our first exposure to so many hieroglyphics. Amazing. As with many places this place is under excavation and rebuilding.

This is our first place with aggressive vendors. One guy sort of adopted me and wouldn't leave me alone. He liked my "Egyptian" style beard. I probably gave him three dollars over an hour or so of pounding. Oh well he seemed like a nice guy.

Astounding pictures. Many with color still on them after 4000+ years. 

I'm not sure where this is. I assume Saqqara. We climbed down into this underground area under a collapsed pyramid. We then visited some buildings with many interesting scenes.
Extras

We had a bit of a wait for a group who had taken a tour of the Step Pyramid. Rather enjoyable sitting under the guard/vendor shelter.

A nice lunch at the "Saqqara Palm Club" including a Stella beer.

On the way back we stopped at a rug making school. It was interesting seeing them work. I felt the carpets were not as nice as we saw in Istanbul. Of course this is a school. I felt some of the designs looked cartoonish. When I got off the bus to take a picture some little girls ran up to me trying to sell me some tissues. I didn't have any money or I would have bought some. Movie.

Another amazing ride through the city. Movie. We passed by the Sphinx.

We met Dr. Zawi Hawass near a pyramid to see his discovery of the village of the pyramid workers. Not much to see but a great discovery. They are still excavating. Dr. Hawass is quite an enthusiastic lecturer. Movie.

Quite a climb down from his lecture point.

Near the pyramids is this village where the people have many horses. I guess mainly to give tourists rides.

Back to the Mena Hotel for a nice dinner. Wake up at 4:30AM