Karnak Temple

While in Luxor we went to Karnak Temple, it was the one I was waiting for.

Where do I begin?

This place is monstrous!

The hieroglyphics all over the temple portrayed the ceremonies that took place there.

This room is called the Holy of Holies. You can see through the door way almost down to the front gates. It was huge!

There were so many cool things here that had so much significance with the LDS church.
It was amazing!

Temple of Hatsheput

Queen Hatsheput was the most successful women pharaohs of Egypt.

She built herself this temple in Luxor.

I looked like an Asian tourist but it was SO HOT and I was trying to avoid heat stroke.
We had many a sufferer.

Trying to escape the heat in the shade with a cold drink.

Valley of the Kings

We visited Valley of the Kings. Over 60 pharaoh's tombs are here.

We managed to sneak a few pictures from inside the tombs. Don't tell.

Rames 1- "He's the best".

Aaron got to see King Tut's tomb.

More from inside the tombs. Ssssshhhhhhhhhhh!

If you want to learn more click here.

Let the Mosque walk begin

We spent a marathon day in Cairo visiting lots of different, historical mosques.
Here we are posing in front of Mohammad Ali (the mosque, not the boxer.)

This mosque is almost as old as Islam itself.
We are wearing canvas booties, I'm not sure why.

Here we are with our friends Brooke and Max recreating the paper doll chain on top of the mosque wall.

This mosque was Aaron's favorite of the day.

This balcony, just outside of Cairo's oldest mosque, was used in a James Bond film.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay

Our second night in Cairo.

Sailing the Nile

Doesn't inspire much confidence.

Even if this p.o.s. could save me, the diseases I'd contract in the Nile would kill me off for sure!

A Day at the Zoo

When we saw a lion cub at lunch the day before we thought, we could do that!

We had a VIP day at the zoo.

The lions really scared me. I was inches from their paws and claws and...

...the tiger had just been doing THIS in my face!

All you had to do to hold or feed any animal was pay about 25 cents.

Aaron's trying to manage holding on to a lion cub.

We had such a good time! It's something I doubt we'll ever get the chance to do again.
I can't see Hogle Zoo allowing me to hand-feed a bear any time soon!

Spring Feast

Our first few days in Egypt they were celebrating spring feast. Everyone gets together and parties!

How neat is the place where we had lunch our first day in Egypt?

We were so happy to be out of the heat and getting some food.

Native music.

This baby tiger is where we got the idea to go to the zoo the next day and get in on the action ourselves.

Day one, cont...

The sphinx. doesn't Aaron look just like it?!

This is our guard that goes with us everywhere. He packs heat, a mini machine gun.

For Ellie

My niece, Ellie, is obsessed with lions.
She's constantly torn between being a princess and a lion.
She generally settles on a pink, mom, lion.

I will post more pictures of the zoo extravaganza later. I just had to post this for her now.

A Brief Explanation.

day 1- Settling in. Getting swindled by a perfume shop owner. Realizing I HATE Egyptian food.

day 2- Pyramids in Giza. Went into a pyramid, not a good idea! The dead air, tight space, and heat was unbearable. The Sphinx. Sakkara Pyramids. Dinner at Pizza Hut, mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

day 3- Free day. Morning at the Cairo zoo. Holding and feeding lions, bears, crocodiles, tigers, seals, hippos, and elephants! 20 cent entry fee. $20 on bribes.
Afternoon spent in the National museum, got to see all the contents of King Tut's tomb and tons of other amazing things. Sunset sail on the Nile. Dinner at Chili's, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

day 4- Mosque walk in Cairo. Toured all the most significant mosques in Cairo, some are over 1,200 years old! A long hot day, followed by a miserable night on the sleeper train to Luxor.

day 5- The hottest day yet. Outside all day. Visited the Valley of the Kings where over 64 kings tombs are. Aaron visited King Tut's actual tomb and was busted trying to take a picture of his mummy. Oops! Went to the Karnak temple and Luxor Temple. Amazing! Amazing! amazing! Totally worth the 2 nights on the sleeper train and the heat exhaustion. (Hieroglyphics had a lot of LDS temple significance) Another sunset sailboat ride on the Nile in Luxor before heading back on the sleeper train to Cairo.

day 6- Up at 4:30 on the sleeper train to unload back in Cairo. Friday (today) is the sabbath day. We finally got to shower after 3 days in the heat and spending our nights on trains. Thank goodness! Church in Cairo with all the Americans working in the embassy. The primary chorister didn't show up so they asked Aaron and I to sub. We had so much fun! The members made us a Mexican meal. It was the best food I've eaten since I came here. Now we are sitting in a cafe across from out hotel smelling all the hooka pipes surrounding us. It smells fruity delicious. A guy sitting by us just said, "howdy. what's up? yankee doodle dandy".

We Made It!!! The Pyramids of Giza

Egyptians EVERYWHERE just want your money. This guy pushed us into a picture with his camel and is trying to get money from Aaron. See him reaching for Aaron's pocket?

Just like we promised, pictures of us riding camels!
It was terrifying and amazing all wrapped into one.

Yes, we were riding around the pyramids. Check out the scenery!