Yup, I rode a camel.

Well, thanks to the fact that my sister, Shirlee, lives life on the edge... I get to visit cool places. On Friday, January 22nd we loaded up 3 year old Maya and 10 month old Ethen into the back row of a 767 and headed to Paris (a LONG trip) and then onto Cairo (not as LONG, but almost). We were SO HAPPY to see Shir's hubby, Dave, waiting for us outside the airport. Not to mention Ibrahim, their driver - who saved us from the luggage guy wanting more than the $4 we gave him for loading our NINE bags (along with some other poor guys bag). Whew.

After a day of some serious unpacking I was unlucky enough to experience the "Pharoah's Revenge" - let's just say if you don't know what it is... you really don't want to. ick. So, one day of unpacking lost. But, we got Shir mostly moved in so that we could do a little roaming around before I headed back the following Saturday.

You can see more of the unpacking chaos here...

On Thursday we met up with a lady from the Cairo branch and headed down to the Nile River. It was a nice walk - until the "Pharoah" got his shot at Shir. Needless to say we headed on home.

It's a darn good thing I didn't strong-arm Shir into one of these faluka's on the Nile. She just had to see the sailboats and she was done.

On to our biggest Egyptian Adventure... We got to head into Giza and experience the pyramids via camel. We went with ladies from Shir's branch. Great fun!! Shirlee's version here. Oh, and thanks, Shir, for pointing out that the camel looks like he is in some serious pain ~ while I am getting on so gracefully.

Here is my advice to you... if you ever find yourself in this situation. When the guy on the ground says "lean back!" Just do it. Much easier to stay on your camel if you are leaning back. Way back.

Success!

By the way, camels are really tall.

It was a pretty windy day ~ so there was more than a little sand and smog in the air. The pyramids in Giza are surrounded by a tall wall/fence on all sides. We didn't actually go in, but instead rode along the side. But, even from outside the compound the pyramids are still very majestic. Pretty amazing.

The obligatory "hee, hee, I am touching the pyramid" photo.

Trying to smile while our teeth are getting coated with the blowing sand!
On the way down from the top of the hill- Shir braved the camel and I rode the horse. Not the most comfortable thing to do before a 25 hour trip home. Just sayin'...
Our reward at the end. Yummy barrel-baked sweet potatoes. Seriously good.
We did some shopping on Road Nine in Maadi - I really should have taken a pic of the little shop-owner there. He was super nice and really likes you, shir.. go back and take a picture for me, okay?!?

It was definitely an adventure and if the plane trip/jet lag wasn't so darn grueling I would head back next week. But, I guess I will have to wait a few months or so. But, I would love to get back to see the things I missed. (That is, as long as you can only get Pharoah's Revenge once per lifetime!)