Pyramids in Dahshur, Saqqara & Giza

Monday we were up early and ready for the day after a good night rest.  The breakfast which was included for us was unbelievable, pastries, eggs, beef sausages, yogurt, spinach pie, crepes, juice, tea & coffee.  That got us going.  We met our guide Mamdue,  he was an awesome guide with so much information about the pyramids we saw.  We began at Dahshur with the oldest pyramid.  All pyramids are on the west side of the Nile River  because the sun sets in the west and rises in the east like life in the hereafter.  There are112 pyramids in Egypt.  The sphinx is the greatest guard watching over the pyramids.  Interesting to know that it was farmers who built the pyramids during the flooding of the Nile.  The farmers didn't have work during that time and the King promised to give them food, lodging and money if they built the pyramid for him.  The limestone was brought to the site by the flooding of the Nile River.  The Great Pyramid has a5300 sq. m base.  It is the largest pyramid but appears smaller than the 2nd pyramid because you are up higher and looking down toward the pyramids.

We had some time so Mamdue took us to see how Egyptian paper is made.  It is made from the papyrus tree.  They use the stem of the plant, skin it, cut it in strips, soak the strips for 2 weeks (the longer they are soaked the darker they are),  then they roll the strips to get the water  and sugar out.  From there they are pressed  flat and laid flat in a weaving arrangement to form the size of paper wanted.  Beautiful paintings were then painted on these sheets.  Of course we all bought a painting for ourselves.

This evening we went to the Sound and Light Show.  Very worthwhile seeing and hearing the story once again about the pyramids.

What a great day, it was filled with so much information.  Very mind boggling but so worth it.