A Sudani Wedding in Cairo – 3 Pyramids & A Sphynx

Did any of you believe for one moment that MB would land in Cairo for any reason and not give you all a full MB account of the Pyramids?!

If you visit Cairo in July, MB can attest that it’s hot as hell and walking around ancient pyramids in the open air is the last thing you want to be doing. The option exists to go on horseback, or on a camel or on a jaunting car like you might see back home around Kate Carny’s Cottage in Killarney. Regardless, when the temps are in the 40s, it’s far better to find a nearby hotel with a flat roof and the availability of tasty food and cold drinks. That is exactly how one should explore ancient pyramids in July.

From afar.

With glass in hand.

Just like MB did!

The pyramids were built as tombs for the Egyptian pharos and the most famous are the three pyramids at Giza, which is a city suburb of Cairo. Those three were built for Pharos Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. The Khufu pyramid at 481 feet high is the last of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing, even though it’s the oldest by far. There are 118 pyramids in total, with most being in modern day Sudan, a fact the Sudanis like to throw out from time to time.

As you approach the pyramids through the Giza streets, the view is surprising as the ancients monuments are only a hundred meters or so from Giza’s streets and shops and residences. The picture postcard view of the pyramids that one sees in the tourist books shows them in a middle of some desert scene, like MBs shots above. But that view is deceptive, as they are adjacent to the modern city, a failure of Egyptian planning/building laws, in the opinion of MB.

Taxi driver and guide Suliman first approached the Pyramids from the Giza residential area, from where MB’s pyramid entrance shot was taken. The remaining shots were taken from the rooftop of a nearby hotel, which has the more traditional view know worldwide. Incidentally, the hotels on the street closest to the pyramids do not sell alcohol. The hotels one street removed do. So pick your hotel carefully!

Incidentally, the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest museum in the world, has opened in recent times following a chequered construction period, and was designed by Irish Architects Heneghan Peng, (said MB proudly!). It’s an incredible experience and as much as the pyramids themselves, not to be missed.

Oh, did MB mention the sphinx?! He’s often forgotten amongst all the pyramid banter. Well, he sits very close to the 3 Giza Pyramids, looking towards MB’s rooftop restaurant, as shown above.