pyramids and sphinx

why I do what I do

So I have been hearing a lot of comments about why I insist on going to other countries when there is so much that needs to be done in our own country.  My response to that is that until you have been to these countries and experienced their daily life first hand, not from a tourist point of view but from a local point of view, then you do not truly realize how great their need is.  I agree there is a lot of work to be done in our own country, but the need in third world countries is almost unbelievable.  It takes someone who feels the calling to abandon the luxuries of life that we experience here and fully embrace another culture, the good and the bad, for everything it is worth.  God created us all differently, with different passions.  If we were all the same then there would be no progress in our world.  In order to improve civilization and humanity we must not forget those who need help the most.  You can make the strongest link of a chain stronger, but if you do not help the weakest link, the chain will still be weak.  My passion is global health and international humanity.  If we help out or "try" to help out in areas that we are not passionate about, then we will make a fraction of a difference that we would in places where our hearts truly lie. 

THE PYRAMIDS

So thanks to the help of my new found friends...Mary and Joey...I went off to brave the desert sand and see the pyramids. I hopped in a taxi....literally...and drove for about 2o minutes southwest of Cairo to Giza. It is weird because Cairo is such a huge major city and as we were leaving all the sudden there were the pyramids. I guess I imagined them being farther away or something. It was like here you are in civilization with concrete and buildings and now all the sudden you are in the sand for miles. The pyramids were amazing upon first view...I could not take my eyes away. As you drive closer, they appear out of no where. At first glance the second pyramid, the pyramid of Khafre appears larger. Upon longer inspection however, it is the first pyramid, the pyramid of Khufu (the great pyramid), which sits on lower ground and is indeed larger. I was able to crutch up the stairs to the entrance of the Great Pyramid and overlook the city of Cairo. Even through all the smog that the 17 million people living in Cairo create, it is a breathtaking site. After descending the stairs, I crutched over to the the second pyramid, which has a different appearance of its other two neighbors, in that the original casting of the pyramid still sits on the top. After marveling at the architecture and trying to be convinced by tourist traps to ride camels and donkeys we were finally able to make our way to the third and smaller pyramid of menkaure. This pyramid is much smaller, but no less impressive, although most tourist skip looking at the pyramid all together. While standing next to the pyramids I was able to stop and think and marvel in its wonders. I looked at the blocks of stone that surround me. Each stone is close to my height, 5'8", and each stone weighs more than 2 tons, and there are over 2.3 million stones in the Great Pyramid. Even thinking about all the equipment that we have now, it would be impressive to build with the exact dimensions that are necessary, but can you imagine building these massive structures without modern technology. Each of the stones had to be cut out of a rock quarry or casted, and then somehow dragged, lifted, or rolled into place. The backbreaking labor and efforts that it cost people to build such a structure to be be a resting house for the King. Around the Kings pyramids there are smaller pyramids that house the wives and women of the Kings. In front of the second pyramid, and down a slope sits the Sphinx. It is an equally impressive structure, although often times text books and pictures make it seem deceivingly larger than in really is. To enter the Sphinx you must go through the Temple of the Sphinx and then finally you are able to see close up the creation, which is the largest monolith statue in the world standing 241 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 65 feet high. It is also the oldest known monumental sculpture. There are many hypotheses about why the Sphinx was created, however no one knows the real reason. After crutching around for 3 hours, in sand, which I must say, was a rather difficult task, we were finally able to sit down for lunch. It is random but right across the street is a KFC and Pizza Hut. I am not sure what I was expecting but it was not that, I can say. We went to Pizza Hut, which was the best view I have ever had from a Pizza Hut. I mean who can say that ate pizza overlooking the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids, the only ancient wonder of the world that is still standing. After that we went downtown to walk around. Joey and I ate some ice cream/sherbet at one of the most famous pastry shops in all of Cairo. I went with the chocolate and strawberry, he went for the chocolate and mango. I must say I have better taste because the strawberry was by far the best. After going around town for awhile we made our way back to the apartment so that we could rest up for the rest up before the rest of the night. After resting we made our way back downtown joined by Caitlin. For dinner we split up since me and joey are much more adventurous. Pigeon is a delicacy in Cairo so we decided we would eat pigeon. It was not actually that bad, and no it did not taste like chicken! The restaurant was a hole it the wall, but was supposed to be one of the best in town. They pluck of the feathers, stuff the bird with rice, and then fry the bird. It is severed on a plate, the entire pigeon, including the head. It is served alongside some lettuce, onions, pickles, tomatoes, bread, and sauce. There is not much meat, except on the breast. All of the meat is dark meat. We were not sure how to eat it so we stuffed our bread with everything on the table. It was actually pretty tasty I must admit. Served with the pigeon is a pigeon broth drink, which tasted like pigeon stock. I was curious about the head so I took it off the body to inspect. As I did this the eyeball split open and the skull cracked. I became even more curious as I saw the brain. Joey and I made a bet that I would not eat it, and of course knowing me, I would never back out on a bet, so I ate it, and yes it was not good at all. Initially it was not bad, but the after taste was terrible, and of course there was no water to wash it down with. I will saw after that experience I am all for pigeon, but never that brain...unless I was dared again of course. For winning the bet he had to buy me juice. Juice is really big deal in Egypt and it is delicious. You can get any favor and mix any flavor. He got me one that had everything mixed it...it was amazing juice. You could taste the blend of the different ingredients. So we sat outside with the others drinking our juice and enjoying the streets of Cairo. After juice we met up with some of Joey and Caitlin's friends to go on a felucca ride on the Nile River. A felucca is simply a boat ride. We were it a small boat with a sail on it. We brought some red and white wine, and simply went down the Nile River. We originally planned 1 hour but then that turned into 2 hours. It was amazing just sitting in a boat, drinking wine, in the Nile River, with friends, overlooking the Egyptian night. It was so peaceful, and brings back goods memories to write about. I hope that is one thing people could do. While on the boat I did touch the Nile River, because I mean come on, how could you not. At the same time it was gross...it was green, and full of pollution, and basically gross, but it is the Nile. After the felucca ride, we went to some friends apartment and hung out and talked until 2 am....by then I was exhausted. I have never crutched so much in one day. I believe I crutched close to 6 hours that day and it was time to sleep and prepare for the next day of adventure!

My computer is broken...the screen broke in Tanzania...so when I get it back I will post the pictures!