The Pyramids and the Sphinx

 

Do not want to miss one of the main attractions of Egypt, the last survivor of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza. There are in fact three main pyramids of Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), the pyramid, the smaller the Kafhre Menkaure Pyramid. Each pyramid is a tomb of a different king of Egypt. In front of the pyramids lies the Sphinx, or Abu al-Hol in Arabic, "Father of Terror." Carved from a single block of stone, this sculpture huge cat has fascinated millions of visitors.

There are currently about 110 known pyramids in Egypt

There are currently about 110 known pyramids in Egypt, many in a state of great neglect and almost unrecognizable. Some were built as burial places for kings and others for queens. A pyramid also may have represented a stairway for the king to ascend to heaven.Another possibility is that it was a symbol of the primordial mound in which he was born the sun god / creator.
How the Egyptians managed the complex organization of work and the physical movement of large stone blocks is still under debate.Pyramid construction may have involved the ramps being erected around the pyramid. Blocks of stone would have been pulled on sleds and ramps dismantled later. It is believed that most of the work for the construction of the pyramids would have come from farmers who were on hand during the flood season, when the Nile River flooded and farmland was underwater. In addition, it would be the ideal time for the shipping of large blocks of stone from their quarries to the pyramid sites.
The first pyramid was the Pyramid of King Djoser of the Old Kingdom's Third Dynasty over 4,600 years ago. The pyramid (right) was the largest structure ever built at Saqqara, the necropolis that overlooked the ancient capital of Memphis. Its construction was initially in the form of a low mastaba tomb upon which extra levels were added gradually to give it a look similar steps.

Who built the pyramids?

Contrary to some popular depictions, the pyramid builders were not slaves or foreigners. Excavated skeletons show that they were Egyptians who lived in villages developed and overseen by the supervisory authorities of the pharaoh.
Villages Manufacturers' boasted bakers, butchers, brewers, granaries, houses, cemeteries, and possibly some types of health care workers there is no evidence of survivors crushed or amputated limbs. Bakeries excavated near the Great Pyramids could have produced thousands of loaves of bread every week.

Cairo, khan el Khalili, dealing

Khan al Khalili may seem another tourist trap, but it is not. It is a bazaar full of life, where locals go to buy what they need. You will, of course, see many tourists here, because it is one of the city's main tourist attractions. But you will also find many locals.

As in other Arab markets, sellers will try to sell you everything they can. The words you will hear more often are: "where are your from?" (or "where you from?") and "how much?". Even if you didn't want to buy anything, most probably you will be seduced.

Cairo, khan el Khalili, juices

The first thing you need to know is how to get from the airport to your hotel. The best option is to arrange a pick up service with your hotel. If you have not booked a hotel room, you can try to take a taxi to the city center, but you have to know this is the worst way to start your travel in Egypt. Taxi drivers will try to charge you as much as they can, and will try to take you to one of their "recommended" hotels. If you need to negotiate with a taxi driver at the airport make clear you are talking about Egyptian pounds, because most of the times when you try to pay them, they will say they were talking about US dollars (that's 3 times the price in Egyptian pounds!). Fortunately taxi divers in the city of Cairoare much more friendlier.

The second thing you need to know is how to move around Cairo. Traffic is so chaotic in this city, that renting a car is an option I cannot recommend. You better use public transports. I knew buses were not recommended either, but I wanted to experience a bus ride. Now I am sure: you shouldn't take local buses. They are dirty and it is almost impossible to know where they are going. If you don't want to waste your time, don't take a bus.

I can only recommend taxis and the underground. Underground is usually overcrowded, but it is easy to use and cheap. The name of the stations is written in English. The only inconveniences are the heat and the crowds.