Day 2 - Hummus, horses and a lot of dust

DAY 2 -- The next morning we were up early for another spectacular view of the pyramids at breakfast. A friend from Saudi Arabia, KAK joined us and it was great catching up with him on everything going on in the Middle East construction world.

Another stunning view from our table at breakfast.

This view is taken from inside the lobby of the hotel. There is a line of carved wooden beads hanging in front of a 2-story window. DW and I titled this, "Behind the Veil in Egypt."

YW had arranged for a driver so we could tour in ease. It was just great.

Our first stop, the obligatory tourist papyrus cash liberation center (SW’s quote). Papyrus was the first paper ever produced, and used from1650 BC until 500 AD. No chemicals or glue were used. First you strip the papyrus reed, bound out the water, then press out the water some more, then soak in fresh water for six days to draw out the sugars. The strips are woven in overlapping fashion and pressed for six more days. The finished paper is tough, waterproof, rollable, and durable.

The young lady giving us the demonstration told us that the Egyptians invented paper.  It was very logical but later on we would come to realize this is a theme with Egyptians.  They believe they invented almost everything. LOL

Facts about Cairo.
Here are some interesting facts YW shared with us. The Islamic monuments are inside Cairo. Pharaonic monuments are west of Cairo. There are 23 million residents in Cairo with 3 million commuters daily. The government is building a new capital 35 km to east of Cairo as well as a new Coptic Cathedral and Mosque. This is an attempt to reduce the population in Cairo.

Socialized medicine is available free to all as well as all surgery. President Sisi opened up all hospitals to reduce backlogs. According to the local people, health care is much better.

Unemployment is down to 9% from 13%. There has been a 500% increase in real estate values in the past five years. Currently they import oil and 50% of their food. Egypt is a net exporter of natural gas and electricity. There is compulsory military service at 18 for young men unless he is the only male in  his family.



Hubby D and I enjoyed a cup of Turkish coffee while we shopped. Yummy!

We purchased this papyrus for Little LW. The artist is painting his name inside the cartouche.

Something very interesting we learned as we were touring the tombs and temples is that the members of the royal family are the only people given a cartouche.

In Egyptian hieroglyphs, a cartouche is an oval with straight lines on each side and inside is the name of the royal person. Placing their name inside a cartouche indicates they are royal in hieroglyph writing. It can be horizontal or vertical.

When we toured the Egyptian Museum, I took this photo of the cartouche on the arm of the throne chair of King Tutankhamun (King Tut).

There is some debate on the exact translation of his cartouche  Reading hieroglyphics is not cut and dry. They can be interpreted many ways. However you see a cartouche used frequently throughout the royal tombs and temples.

A cartouche is like a name plate or a title. It is attached to your coffin and also used in writing about you. The ancient Egyptians put it on the coffin because they wanted to make sure that their two souls - the Ba and the Ka - could find their way back to their tomb at night, after they died.

The cartouche came into common use during the beginning of the Fourth Dynasty under Pharaoh Sneferu, but earlier examples date to the mid Second Dynasty on Cylinder Seals of Seth-Peribsen.

This is the artist who created LW's cartouche. He also painted the painting on the wall behind us in this photo.

The filing system in the shop was very detailed.

After the Papyrus shopping, we went to see the Coptic churches. First the Coptic Orthodox Church, then the Christian Church, and finally the Synagogue. All three were situated within feet of each other coexisting with religious pilgrims of all faiths. The area is called Coptic Cairo and the Coptic Orthodox Church is called the Hanging Church.

Interesting fact, while escaping the persecution of King Herod, David and the Mother Mary with Jesus hid in the basement of the church.

Amazing to stand on ground where a person documented through 2,000 years of Civilization once stood. And, the Synagogue to the south is believed to be the very place where Moses was pulled out of the River Nile in a papyrus basket. Unbelievable.



This is one of my first panoramic photos. My new phone has this feature and it very interesting.

Our group with our guide for Coptic Cairo.

SW and Hubby D view things a bit more analytical than most people. This is the first photo of many I took of them figuring out the how and why of some part of the construction of a building.

This is looking through openings in a wall of the Mosque at a mural of Jesus and Mary.

The lights in the Synagogue were very pretty.

This was taken on the steps of the Coptic Church.

The area streets were filled with unique shops. I loved these lanterns.

Every kind of transportation passed through the area.

Back in our bus with our ever-vigilant driver, we drove just a few miles down the street (which took almost an hour) to have a wonderful Egyptian lunch that included pigeon (a delicacy), and Omar’s stew with lamb, rice and hummus. YW chose a very local restaurant and it was a completely authentic experience. For me, it was my favorite meal of the whole trip.

After lunch, YW had arranged for us to ride Arabian horses to the base of the pyramids. Everyone except LW and myself mounted horses.  LW and I rode along in a carriage. We went around the pyramids to the back and stopped on a high plateau. There we took pictures and enjoyed the view of 9 pyramids. 



We had a hard time taking a selfie while the horse was moving.

Looking at the pyramids and then the city of Cairo, you are truly amazed. It is the most incredible sight. To stand there and think of the thousands of people it required to construct such structures and all of this took place 5,000 years ago.

The sprawling city of Cairo could be seen in the distance.

After this unbelievable experience we returned to our beautiful hotel and freshened up for the evening’s entertainment, a dinner cruise on the Nile.

What more can I say?




The day was unbelievable.  YW and LW made the whole thing just perfect.  It was so very much fun to share it with them and to appreciate a country they have been visiting for many years. We are so thankful for all their hard work coordinating this part of our adventure and it was exceptionally wonderful to share the experience with them.

During out time together, DW gave LW and myself the most wonderful bracelets (artlets) from a popular art group in Bahrain, Annada. The artist of my “artlet” is Abbas Almosawi and it is based on his painting Oasis. He was one my favorite artists in Bahrain. I have 2 silk scarves made out of his paintings. It is a very special gift I will cherish it with wonderful memories forever.



I returned from our Egypt experience with 1400 photos on my phone. Hubby D had hundreds on his phone as well. And yet, writing this blog, I remember so much that was not captured. It was a great adventure.

Cheers ‘til the next Cairo blog. . .
Brenda