First we went to the Sphinx. It has been sitting there for 4,500 years, and so have the pyramids. It is crumbling slowly so they are having to figure out ways to reinforce it.
On our way to the pyramids, we were bombarded by people trying to sell us postcards, statues, turbans, and camel rides. This is the worst haggling we have seen so far on the trip. It is hard to even look at the pyramids because people are all around trying to put things in your hands. It was so frustrating, and once again, I am in the dilemma of how to respond as a Christian. What I wanted to do was yell at them to go away. They aren't even being nice, but forceful. And they all have the same cheap junk. So by the time the 15'th turban salesman grabs you, you want to scream. You have to literally shove away, pretend they don't exist, or say "no, no" sternly. If you even look at them they will think there is hope and press harder. What you also have to understand is that, as hard as it is to believe, NOBODY comes to Egypt and the pyramids anymore. They are literally starving for tourism. They are very desperate, and it is a really sad situation. And of course, nobody wants their junk. We were almost the only people there. Unbelievable. It's the PYRAMIDS. Everyone is seriously too scared to come to Egypt. They are becoming so desperate and forceful that we came pretty close to getting the tourist police involved.
Weston and I got owned by some crooks. While we were trying to do our video, two men came up and said, "You American! We like your beards! You look Arab! Here is a gift because you look Arab!" Then they put headdresses on us. Then they said, "Take picture with Camel!" So we took a picture with it. Then the guy literally picked me up and put me on it. I didn't want to scream or fight about it, it was kinda fun, and he hadn't asked for money. I didn't have any, and I wasn't going to pay him. So I wasn't scared, yet. Before I knew it he had us on the Camel running out into the desert. They took some pictures of us, but we were really far away from the group. We told them we needed to go back multiple times, but they just took us farther out. Then they started to ask for money, and I said I had none. Weston jumped off the camel because he was ticked and feeling brave. One of the men got on with me and took me way out by myself. In the mean time Weston got surrounded by three men who were grabbing for his money pouch. The man on the camel with me turned around and started telling me to give him money, but I kept saying, "I have none, please take me back." This went on for a while before he started to grab for my wallet. Then I got mad. I took it out, opened it up, and showed him that there was no money. Then I said, "I told you I have no money! Take me back, now!" Then he did. By this time Weston had gotten away from his guys after paying them off, and had run over to me. He was also saying, "Take us back, and let him down!" They gave me some free stuff to calm me down. They knew I was mad, and they didn't want me to tell the tourist police. The tourist police have the power to put them out of business really quick and destroy their livelihood. They do not want the tourism industry to be hurt by hagglers. It is such a sad situation out there.
When we got back to the group we heard that Miss Lanette had almost been picked up and put on a camel, but she screamed. After a while it got tiring. It was hard to even enjoy being there with so many people in your face. When we got on the bus people were literally sticking their arms through the windows trying to hand us stuff.
We drove back into Cairo.
Next we went to a papyrus museum, and saw a great demonstration on how it is made.
Then we went to McDonald's to complete one stop in each country!
The Egyptian Museum at Tahrir (revolution) square was next. It is one of the most famous museums in the world. Built in 1897. Elie took us inside and gave us a tour. He said of Egyptology, "The only thing we know for certain is that nothing is certain."
It has lots.. and lots.. of Egyptian statues, coffins, jewelry, chariots, mummies, etc. And everything is covered in hieroglyphics. Really cool, really old stuff. It would take hours to look at every single artifact. The King Tut room was the best part. His tomb was found completely unscathed, so everything is in perfect condition. Shining gold. Sadly, cameras were not allowed inside. Sorry. But here are pictures off of the internet of some of the things at the museum. Special thanks to whoever snuck their camera in to take a few of these.
Amazing place.
After that we went to the Al-Azhar mosque, the oldest in Cairo. It is very beautiful. There were lots of men studying and praying. We even got some free Islamic literature from a friendly Muslim evangelical.
Many in our group wanted to do last minute shopping, so we went to Khan El-Khalili. It is one of the main markets in Cairo. I didn't shop, just played in the grass with some cute kids and talked to Kent about Islam and Mormonism. I was feeling better by then, but I still didn't want Koshari for dinner, just powerbar. Yum!
I need to talk about Elie. He is a Coptic Christian with a wife and children, and he owns two hotels. He has his masters in Egyptology, and is very smart. Elie has been incredibly helpful and hospitable to us. He has been taking us all around Egypt on his bus. He has also been our tour guide at the sphinx and museum, and has been making all of our food arrangements. We are staying at his Kirotel right now. He and his staff have been one of the most encouraging parts of this trip to me. Business is not good for them right now at all. His desk worker makes three dollars a day, and he is doing better than most in Egypt. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers. They are a light for the kingdom. Elie is on the far right, and his son Hiro is next to him.
Elie has a room where he wants people who come to the hotel to right a message on the wall. We were the first ones to do it.
Off to bed! It will be a very, very early morning tomorrow.
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