MY TRIP TO EGYPT -- MEMORIES

Our Ship

Me at Pyramids...

In the fall of 2001  my friend Pat and I decided to do the trip of a lifetime.  We boarded a cruise ship from the Renaissance Line, now the Oceania Line, in Hong Kong and in 48 days landed in Athens.

Our Trip



 There are many memories, but for this entry, I wish to concentrate on our stop in Egypt.   I will just briefly set the stage regarding the ship.  We were on the sixth floor and had a stern room.  There were only four rooms on that end of the ship;  two small ones and two owners; suites.  Our room was so outstanding because we viewed the ports of all the cities we visited as we departed.  I did a set of these pictures and if I find them, I will share them.



Map of Canal and Port Said



We traveled through the Suez canal to the Port Said.  When we arrived, Pat and I decided to take the tour to the Pyramids.  We had taken the opportunity to do this on all of the ports of call and we were especially excited .  The trip required a rather long, about three hours, if I remember correctly, ride from the ship to the tourist site.  We drove through the city of Cairo, listened to our  guide as he explained where we were, visited the museum of Egyptian Antiquities, the Pyramids, and the Sphinx. 

Tourist Bus

When we boarded the bus, both of us almost got off and went back to the ship.  We were preceded by two heavily armed escorts.  Not only did they have automatic weapons, but were laden down with sidearms.  There were two of them in the back of the bus, and two in the front.  Scary.  One faced us, the other faced the front of the bus.  Not only did we have those folks on board, but we were escorted by jeeps, guards, and  that were very armed.  I repeat, yes, we were frightened but before we could decide we were on our way.

Military Escort

The museum was absolutely wonderful.  Some of the items were labeled so we could read, but mostly the explanation was in Arabic.  We then began the trip to the Pyramids.   We passed through what is thought to be one of the most destitute of slums and the guard gave much history.  Apparently this has existed since before Christ. 

As soon as we arrived we were bombarded with vendors and people wanting to take us on special trips through the pyramids.  The tiny door and even smaller steps discouraged us and we did not venture into them.  We did spend an hour or more wandering around the site dreaming of the centuries and the people who had walked before us.  We also declined a ride on a camel.  I had that experience in Petra and it was not one that I wanted to repeat.

Pyramids and Sphinx

We boarded the bus, dusty and tired, to return to the luxury of our ship.  As luck would have it, less than an hour outside the Pyramids, on our way back to Cairo, our bus broke down.  It was not our favorite time to watch the soldiers guarding us while the bus was repaired.  I cannot remember if we had another bus or if they fixed ours.... but it took far too long for comfort.

My one souvenir



It was dark when we returned to our state room and dropped from exhaustion.  It had been a lifetime goal to see what we had seen that day!   I have no desire to return.  Although it was in the fall the temperature was in the hundreds many days.



Museum Then.......



 Today?  I am watching the square with such interest.  The police that we encountered were polite and appeared very competent.  When it was reported that the military had pointed the guns away from the crowds and the palace, it appeared to be a statement of neutrality.  That gave me much hope.  At this moment in time, it appears that they have taken the role of guardian.  I am praying this is so and that the Egyptian people can feel the freedom that I have my entire life.  It is prophetic that the one thing I brought home was a crafty scarab.  My favorite meaning is Transformation.




 



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