Two months before we arrived, massive protests in Tahrir Square toppled the Morsi Regime in Egypt. A 7pm curfew was still in effect, and major thoroughfares of Cairo were eerily deserted at night. Very few foreigners were in the country, but luckily the Giza Pyramid complex had recently re-opened.
The morning of October 23rd, Alex and I rode with our taxi driver Ahmed towards Giza. We stopped at the Nile River for some pictures, and visited a shop where they made Papyrus art. Eventually, we saw the iconic pyramids looming over the city -- monolithic ancient observers, weathered by literally thousands of years of desert sun.
Near the pyramids, we waited in a small tent where locals were selling potent perfumes and medicinal oils. Finally we left with our guide Sam. We rode on a camel and two horses (camels are really tall and sway when they walk) past ancient caves and over sandy desert until we reached a famous panorama, where you can see the entire Giza Necropolis.
As we rode down towards the structures listening to Sam's stories about ancient Egyptian monument building, we slowly began to realize just how huge they were. I'm a tall guy, but the massive stones at the base of the Great Pyramid made me feel like an ant.
Years later, Giza retains a special place in my heart. It is truly unique. I'm so happy we were able to experience these fantastic structures, and memories of a bygone age. Giza really felt like visiting another world.