day 3

10/13/10 6:30pm

So just to correct myself from yesterday… It was not Ramses who ruled between the ages of 9-19… that was TUT! He was the fella. Which definitely confused me because how could a king be that famous when he probably couldn’t be THAT influential if he ruled when he was that young. But it turns out his is the grave that archeologists learned most about because it was actually intact. No one wanted to rob it. Well, maybe they did want to… but they didn’t. So when he was found, they found all 4 shrines, the sarcophagus, the 3 coffins found one inside of the next, the mask and the body!!! Bam. Anywho… we started the day off with some churches. A Christian church and then a Synagogue. Apparently, 85% of Egyptians are Muslim and only 15% are Christian. I believe it. After that we visited Cairo Museum. That’s where we saw the King Tut exhibit. Unfortunately the sarcophagus, and the mummified body itself is at Luxor but everything else is in Cairo. It was awesome but sooooo packed and a little smelly. Don’t use the bathroom there, you’re better off at a public park restroom. Mmmm hmmmm. After the museum we had lunch on this boat restaurant on the Nile. After that we went to Mohammad Ali Mosque. That was an experience for sure. Had to take the shoes off, scarf over the head… The whole kit and kaboodle. It was huge!!! Super beautiful. THEN it was time for the bazaar!!! That was something else. Just as I imagined it. Our tour guide said to haggle the first offered price down by 20-50% So… I did. Some good deals… some not so good. Bought a couple of hats (think Aladdin) some percussion instruments… some scarab type goodies… leather camels. The reg. We all met up at a Shish bar and then headed back to the hotel to change for the Nile dinner cruise. That’s what’s next. I got ready in a flash and now I’m waiting to meet up with the group. I hope it’s good. I know there will be food and belly dancing. That’s sort of all I know. Well… I guess I should head downstairs. Goodnight children. I miss you so. ……
Ok. Back from the cruise. Saqqara beer is the jam. Belly dancers have a lot of endurance and I have a new found respect for them. I’m exhausted. Nighty night.