The Button Says It All

NOTE: I SHAMELESSLY STOLE THIS FROM MY SISTER'S BLOG. DEAL WITH IT. I HEART EDWARD!

Sakkara Step Pyramids

The following week-end after my "riders in the storm" adventure, I toured the Sakkara Step Pyramids located a half hour away from the pyamids of Giza. Remarkably, the Sakkara Pyramid is the oldest pyramid in the world. It sits on an ancient burial site that was called the "necropolis" of Memphis, which back then was the ancient capital of Egypt. Consequently, more step pyramids were unearthed nearby, and the group was dubbed the "Sakkara Step Pyramids"; the first pyramids for the first kings and queens of Egypt. These were ancient royals who meticulously prepared for their afterlife by building tombs that would ascend them to their sun god Amun-Re. While these "stairways to heaven" would later be eclipsed by more elaborate tombs found at Giza and the Valley of the Kings in Thebes (Luxor), they still remain in remarkable condition today. Ironically, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the ONLY "wonder" of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World left standing, but the Sakkara Step Pyramid, oldest pyramid still standing, never made the "wonders" list.

The Serapeum or gallery of tombs built across from the Sakkara Pyramid was discovered in 1851 and refurbished in the 1920s.

I couldn't resist taking pictures of these gaily saddled donkeys.

Archaelogical teams continue to unearth burial tombs that are a "work-in-progress" like the one pictured above.

The sky was a perfect contrast to the magesty of the Sakkara Step Pyramid.

Another archaelogical dig was found on the west side of the pyramid, with more step pyramids in the distance.

I found this delightful pair "copping a squat". Wouldn't it have been funny to find them smoking?

In front of the pyramids, were the remains of an ancient corral that was the genesis for today's "rodeos" and "bull fights". During pharaoh's reign, he had to prove his godlike power by taking a bull down with his strength, athletic prowess, skill, and mental cunning. Bear in mind that in ancient times, the bull was considered the most powerful beast on Earth, since it took several lions to bring one down.

Egyptologists believe that some pharaohs actually had servants challenge the bulls dressed as themselves to spare them from the dangerous sport. Talk about taking the "work smarter, not harder" approach too far!

As I left the grandfather of all pyramids behind me...

I couldn't help but be amused by the exiting sign above. At least it was true... I did have a "happy time".

A Horse is a Horse, of Course, of Course

The week-end after the Khan el Khalili bombing, I shook off my fears and headed towards the Giza Pyramids for a 1.5 hr horseback ride. The pic below was the entry to the stable's courtyard.

Horses were rounded up and matched to each person's riding abilities.

Look!!! An Asian Ray Charles on horseback! Yippee Kye Yaaaaay!

The desert was endless and colorless as always.

The ride started out pleasant and serene.

As the pyramids began to loom, we met up with "camel guy". He inquired if anyone wanted to swap their mounts for a camel, but left shortly when no one took him up on his offer.

We were 15 min out from reaching the pyramids before we began sensing a shift in the air, and a slight stirring in the sands.

Within a matter of minutes, African winds picked up and grew stronger as a swirling dust bowl descended upon us! I quickly secured my camera and turned my horse around, as everyone headed back early in wordless consent. We kept our heads down, trying to protect our faces from the swarms of sand. Thankfully our horses knew the way, because visibility was obscured as we clutched our reins in white-knuckled fashion; our adrenalines heightened by the temperaments of the storm. We arrived back to the stables safe and sound, with no regrets of cutting our ride short. We did, afterall, gained a good horse tail to tell.

Once Upon a Bomb

My blog fountain is runneth-ing over again, and with it comes a reservoir of tales gushing forth. One I'm hesitant to relive, but feel moved to write about for historic purposes, was the bombing in Cairo at the Khan el-Khalili Market on February 23, 2008. It was a Sunday night, approximately 7:30 pm local time, when I received a text message on my cell phone that a bombing had occurred at the Khan and all US personnel were to call or text back for an immediate recall muster. WHAT?!? I was JUST there a week prior! I remember thinking the recall was probably a drill. A necessary protocol put in place to practice for the real thing. Well, this was THE REAL THING and thankfully no Americans were injured or killed. However, 22 international tourists were not so lucky; one of which, resulted in death. A French teen, on her way home from an extended school trip, never made it back. It was a surreal night. I remember numbly going through the motions to account for everyone, and pushing back the fact that a bomb had gone off not more than 10 miles from my home. One of my workers informed me that families in the States were already calling and checking on their families here. WHAT?!? The States already knew? Thanks to technology, news releases of the bombing had been sent out on real time. Unfortunately, I had just moved into my new home and I didn't have internet access yet. Family couldn't reach me through my Skype internet phone. Thankfully, a colleague called my family at my request and let them know I was alright.

The next day was business as usual. Got up. Ate breakfast. Went to work. Period. Living in the Middle East you have to always remain vigilant for the unexpected, but you CAN'T let the terrorists win... here... there... anywhere. It's ok to be afraid, but NOT ok to stop living. You can't hide in your shadows. You can't remain in your house. Life, after all, is too short. Tragedy can strike at any time. Live life to the fullest I say. Damn the torpedoes. LIVE LIFE OUT LOUD, y'know? Admittedly, I'm a gypsy at heart. I enjoy my travels. More importantly, I enjoy my freedoms. Hence, the following week-end I went horseback riding. I refuse to let the blankety-blank terrorists win.

Blogless in Cairo

OMG!!!! I'M BAAAAACK! Going blogless cold turkey was a painful evolution and something I wouldn't recommend to the weak spirited. Good thing I'm strong willed or else I wouldn't have made it through the blog-out. LoL. What happened, you ask? Simply put, I MOVED. Feb 19th to be exact. It was a bittersweet move. On one hand, I no longer had to live out of suitcases. On the other hand, I lost internet capability for 40 days. It was like being on Noah's Ark during the flood: trapped from the outside world and completely at the beck of God's will... or "in Shallah", as the Muslims say here. LoL. Hello, my name is Gina, and I'm a blog addict. [group chorus] "HELLO, GINA!!!"

So, annnnyways, I moved to a highrise flat overlooking a canopy of rooftops and sweet, sweet sunsets. I LOVE IT! It's a 3 bedroom / 3 bath flat with lots and lots of light (and PLENTY of room for visitors). I love the airyness and spaciousness of my new home. Here are some early pics. I've since added more decor (which will be seen in a later blog), as I've tried to make it more homey and comfortable ---with a Middle Eastern edge. Mandated to store 80% of my possessions prior to coming here, I was thankful that the furniture they provided me was new and tasteful. This, combined with my cache of wall art and other decorative essentials that I shipped over, miraculously transformed my new crib into a relaxing sanctuary.

So, make reservations now to Gina's Egyptian Lair n' Sanctuary!