Photos from Cairo area

Here are a few photos from the Cairo area.

First is the large pyramid at Giza, with Brie and Kim in the foreground riding a camel.










Second is Brie and Mark in front of the Sphinx, which is in front of the smaller pyramid at Giza. Note that the limestone cap is still in place on this pyramid. On most, the limestone was removed by other people for use in other structures.


















Third is the four of us, Joe, Kim, Brie and Mark standing next to the cap of the Red Pyramid, with the Bent Pyramid in the background.

The Bent Pyramid shows a design change part way through construction of this first pyramid with continuously sloping sides (instead of steps). The original angle was too steep for stability, so they reduced the angle. The angle used on the upper part became the standard for all other Egyptian pyramids.

The Red Pyramid is so named because of the red granite used in its construction. It was the first pyramid made after the Bent Pyramid, so the angle was the shallower one throughout. We went deep inside the Red Pyramid and saw three chambers inside. The entrance shaft was long and steep, and our quad muscles were sore the next day from the climb in and out.

This photo of the four of us was taken by two nice Antiquities Policemen who took us around to the back of the pyramid to show us this view and some ruins off the beaten path. They were pleased to receive baksheesh of five Egyptian pounds (less than one US dollar), and offered to take our picture and let us ride their camels for no extra baksheesh.