People have invited us to three different weddings and Mohammed, from our hotel, is having us to his house in Giza for tea and to meet his wife and daughter. We’ve felt like celebrities when surrounded four deep by school children all asking the same questions as the soldiers and additionally “Do you have childrens, How many years are you, What is your name, Which is your home, Do you like Egypt?”, all the while touching us and giving us pieces of candy. At the Pyramids, we couldn’t make 20 yards without being surrounded by another swarm. Then they all would tell us their names, simultaneously demanding that we don’t forget their name and urging us to take a photo of them. It has been delightful, overwhelming and draining.

The swarms of children are welcome, however, after running the gauntlet of guides (“Come with me! I show you secret entrance.”), 8 year olds with packets of postcards (“You buy! 10 for $3 US - No mine for $2 US!”), and camel drivers (“You walk too far. I give you Egyptian price not tourist price!” or “You have not been to Egypt until you have ridden a camel!”). That was my favorite, by the way, and after an hour of subtle and overt coaxing, we did ride Daisey for about $3 US. It was his only ride of the day. Ali then invited us to a wedding party later that night.

Oh yeah! One other good thing about Egypt - it’s flat!

And what can I say about the Pyramids? I think Mary Lynn said it most succinctly and expressively - WOW! (Repeat every 100 yards as the angles and vistas change.)

They loom. They are not just there; they have a presence - kind of like the feel one gets from the

Grand Canyon. They watch you! Slowly. You can’t see them blink, but they know you are there. Just like they watched Alexander and Cleo and Julius and Napoleon and Jimmy