Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Thursday 13 v.13 - Egypt!

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Thirteen of Carmen's Favorite Egypt Photos
(If you want to read the full details of my trip, check out my travel journals on IgoUgo for Cairo and Luxor)


  1. This is me, with my "excavating hat" as travel buddy Monica called it, standing in front of the PYRAMIDS! It was about 90 degrees and hazy most days in Cairo.


  2. I took my life into my own hands (Cairo drivers are nuts, there are no stoplights, no lane lines, and LOTS of honking - even at sniffing dogs and traffic cops!) and hired a car from the hotel to drive me to the base of the Pyramids (the complex itself closes at 4 p.m., I don't know why) so I could see a sunset at the PYRAMIDS!


  3. We saw the Sound & Light show at the Pyramids, en Francais, because we didn't want to wait for the English show the next day. We didn't pay much attention to what was being said anyway. Blah blah blah take photo of Pyramids. There was, however, very dramatic music - Dum Dum Dum!


  4. More of the Sound and Light Show. It was kinda cheesy to see 3000-year-old pyramids shown off like a side show, but it was also kind of cool. I think the Pharoah's would've dug it. :)


  5. Everyone told me I'd get in trouble if I took photos of security personel. This security guy asked if I wanted to take his picture, and then rubbed his fingers together to signal a tip was needed. No prob. He wanted me to be sneaky about it. I'm like - Dude, you're on a camel, how can I be sneaky about handing you money way up there? But it's one of my favorite, most Egyptian pictures from the trip.


  6. I know, you're surprised to see me on the spitty camel. I took a horse ride, and because I tipped the owner well, he wanted to "give me a gift". So I got up on the stupid thing to avoid the high-pressure tactics. But, the pictures turned out cute, so ok. Monica said the camel farted when I got on. I hate camels. Ha.


  7. This is the best picture of the Khefre Pyramid that I got. I didn't go inside, because it would've been very short and narrow and hot and claustrophobic-y.


  8. Our hotel - the Grand Hyatt Cairo (very highly recommended) was situated right on the Nile. This was one of the sunsets we watched. We saw one every night. I could get used to that life.


  9. About a half hour from the Pyramids is Saqqara, the first step pyramid and the first stone building, built by Imhotep for King Djoser (Zoser). IM-HO-TEP!


  10. This is another view of Saqqara. It wasn't crowded at all. It's located just outside of Memphis, Egypt.



  11. This is me at King Tut's tomb. It's 70 Egyptian pounds extra to see this tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. Inside, the bedouin (who "shows" you things for tips) says to me "come look over here." What he failed to say was "be careful, there's no floor over here." I fell and got my King Tut bruise. I'm fine, btw, it was more funny than anything. It was really hot in Luxor, probably 110 degrees, so I look all sweaty.


  12. Monica and me in Luxor at Hatshepsut's temple. Hatshepsut (pronounced Hat-cheap-suit) was supposed to watch over the kingdom for Tuthmose II who was too young to rule at the time, but she ended up surrounding herself with absolute power to become queen. Tuthmose II would later grow up and get the throne back, but he was so mad at her, he tried to scratch her name out of history on the reliefs. He couldn't touch the religious monuments, however, because then he'd be disrespecting the gods. So we still have reference to her and her temple.


  13. This is the Mohammed Ali Alabaster Mosque in Cairo on one of the highest points in the city, the Citadel. There was an announcement for call to prayer 5 times per day, the first was at 4:30 a.m. No offense, but I'm thinking that you really don't need a reminder to pray that early, because some of us just got to sleep. ;) There was a beautiful view of Cairo from the courtyard here.

A few more for good measure:

This is me and the Sphinx. Someone tell Tony Blair to give Egypt back the Sphinx's nose. They have it in the museum there. What do the Brits need it for? Let's superglue it back on. The Sphinx is so well preserved because it was buried up to its neck in the sand until someone dug it out.


This is Monica and I outside of Karnak Temple in Luxor.



This is one of the ram-headed sphinxes outside of Karnak temple, and yes, that is a flower blooming in the desert.




Links to other Thursday Thirteens! Other 13 participants only. But everyone feel free to leave a comment, too! Comments rock!

86 comments:

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Ha! I'm first. These photos are very interesting. Imagine being really there in a dessert. I only get to see them in movies and a Camel! Pyramids are beautiful when lit.
My T13 is up too.

kdoll aka *~Puzzle~* said...

you really like to travel obviously. Sounds like you had fun in egypt. Your blog looks nice. It's different everytime I see it. lol! God Bless!

Margaret said...

Wow, these photos are gorgeous! I'm jealous! Egypt is somewhere I always wanted to go. Great T13. -Margie

Sherri said...

Sounds like a great trip...and you look so happy in all the pics!

...my list is up..mine's about a trip too...not to some exotic place like you though...to Starbucks:)

Janet said...

I loved all the pictures, but especially #6...something about the way the camel was looking at you LOL!

Pixie said...

Oh those pictures were awesome! I'm going to read about your trip but from the pics it looks like you had a great time! :-)

Anonymous said...

Awesome post!!!

I'm still LMAO at #6!

Anonymous said...

wow, I would avoid going in the pyramid, too.
Great pics.
Was it hot there?

YellowRose said...

Those are amazing photos!! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us! I love the pyramids, I am like you though, I don't think I could go in them..to claustrophobic!!

Happy Thursday, my TT is up!

Amy said...

Those are some of the COOLEST pictures I have EVER seen! I say give the nose back too!!!

girl said...

Oooh, gorgeous photos! Hope you're enjoying your trip!

Anonymous said...

Awesome picttures. Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. :) I am so happy you made it back in one piece.
Happy Thursday.

Anonymous said...

beautiful pics!

one of the places I have to go to sometime!

MaR said...

Carmen, this is great! what a wonderful way to share your trip, love your pictures and your descriptions. Glad you had such a great time, I hope you are feeling better (from prior post). Didn't know the Brits keep the Sphinx's nose over there... Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

Okay - now I want to go to Egypt!

My TT is up as well!

Laura said...

BREATHTAKING!!!!
I thought about you having fun in Egypt.
The 1st pyramids at night is my favorite.
my tt is up

Anonymous said...

WOW, I love all the pics, it seems to me that you and Monica had a great time in egypt, the pyramids are majestic and I love the sunsets there, you're cute with the camel, i hate camels too hahaha.

Happy Thursday. mine is up.

Wystful1 said...

Beautiful. I love the pyramids at night and YOU on the camel!!!

Come by and pick up any or all of my T 13 banners-headers!!

Julia said...

Great pics of the pyramids at night - lovely!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos! You've just saved me a trip there, I feel like I've been there now...

Though I envy you the camel ride ;-)

Lazy Daisy said...

great pictures and stories. How fun. Love the camel picture!

Darla said...

What great pix! Thanks for taking us along. :)

Natsthename said...

Great photos! I love the ones with the colored lights on the pyramids!

You know, I visited last night, but blogger was wonky and I couldn't comment! I hate that!

Thanks for sharing your trip!

One Scrappy Gal said...

I love the photos! It looks so beautiful!! The one of you one the camel cracked me up. The camel is looking at you like "is she kidding?" and your butt is not even all the way ON the camel... it's hovering!! Thanks for sharing!! I really hope to see Egypt during my lifetime. As for Tony Blair... I will fire off a strongly worded letter!

cristina said...

looks like you and Monica had a blast! lol: excavating hat! will have to remember that one. and you have done one thing i have wished to do for a long long time: ride on a camel.
will put a call through Tony right this minute - how dare they keep the nose?!

Changed by His Love said...

The pics are awesome! I have it on my list to read the details of the trip. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for visiting my TT!

Lisa said...

Spitty camel! hahah Love that. Egypt isn't high on my list of places to visit (must must must do Italy first!) but I am glad to be able to see it through your eyes. You look happy in every picture!

(Ambles on over to your other blog to check it out and read the details)

Happy Thursday!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a fabulous trip!! Sounds like you had much more fun that I did in Egypt! Although I did get a marriage proposal!

Becky said...

Great photos..I love the pyramids how pretty...Are you feeling better???

My T13 is up too.

Uisce said...

OMG, I am sooooooo jealous!!

Anonymous said...

Great photos! I came on today just to see your photos. Thanks for posting them. :)

Skittles

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures! Definitely a place I want to visit!
Kris

Anonymous said...

man, I'm jealous. but not of the heat. great shots, Carmen! you guys are good at getting other people to take your picture...

Susan said...

Oh how exciting!!!! Thanks for sharing your great photos.

My TT is up here.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures! That'd be cool to ride up on a camel. What is that look the camel is giving you. Was it scary be up that high? You're looking very happy! :)

Trish Ess said...

GORGEOUS!! Love #5. :D I'd love to see Egypt - but I'm waiting for another ice age so I don't burn my butt off over there. ;)

Thanks for visiting my TT!

Anonymous said...

How absolutely gorgeous!

Shannon said...

Trip of a lifetime! Did you journal all this stuff for posterity? I love the pics!

Froggie Mama said...

Awesome pics! WOW! I'm so glad you had such a great time! I didn't realize you were back! I'm glad you decided to get a pic w/the camel... you GOTTA when you're in Egypt, right??

I did not know the British had the nose of the Sphinx's nose!? That's weird!

Hope you're feeling better!!

Heather Smith said...

Okay, now I really want to go to Egypt! Really great pictures! Looks like you had an awesome time! Have a good one!

Lisa said...

That was sooo totally cool. What wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing! My husband is a total Egypt freak, I'll have to send him over to check out the pictures.

Thanks for stopping by my 13!

Unknown said...

Awesome pics! Sounds like you had a great adventure! The Mummy is one of my favorite movies.Thanks for stopping by my TT!

lisa said...

Awesome photos! Sounds like you had a great trip! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

These pics are amazing. This is just so cool I can't stand it. I would love to travel. Where are you going next?

Thanks for coming by...

Anonymous said...

Wow! What amazing pictures!!! It looks like a beautiful place.

Cricket said...

What beautiful pictures! I needed a vacation today. My favorite is you on the camel.

Thanks for doing my TT.

Norma said...

Terrific photos. Esp. the sunsets.

Thanks for visiting my TT.

Deb @ Sugarfused said...

What a great trip this must be!! Love looking at the pictures!

Deb @ Sugarfused said...

I keep trying to leave a comment but they're being eaten...

I'll try again!

Looks like such a fun trip and I really enjoyed looking at all the pictures :))

Anonymous said...

I'm egyptian & happy that you enjoyed your visit
hope you manage to explore egyptians too,, not only touristic places :)
happy TT

Anonymous said...

Wow, awsume pictures. I would love to someday visit Egypt and see what you have seen!

thank you for visiting my site!

Lisa said...

A King Tut bruise- LOL! You should have taken a picture of that too for posterity. :-)
Thanks for "taking us along" on your trip- fantastic photos. It looks like you had a wonderful trip.

twiga92 said...

Beautiful! Glad that you had a good trip. Thanks for sharing the photos.

~**Dawn**~ said...

omgosh! i am such a photography freak so a photo Thursday Thirteen *rocks*! #s 3, 5 & 8 are my favorites.

thanks for visiting my blog too! =)

Just Nancy said...

What great pictures and an enviable trip!

Thanks for visiting my TT!

Heather/SHTEZQ said...

wow! those are breathtaking photos! happy TT this is my first one

Heather said...

Oh wow, your pics are GREAT. What an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing them!

Laci said...

GORGEOUS pics! I'm so jealous! :)

Looks like you had a fantabulous time! :)

Happy Thursday!

Heather said...

Really awesome pictures... what a neat trip to take!! I think this is the best TT this week ;)

Sarah said...

Those are awesome! I would love to go someday. Love the camels, love the pyramids. Great pictures.

Anonymous said...

I really like how the camel is looking at you in the picture. That is so neat.

Pete said...

Wow, picture #4 was kind of awesome.

-R- said...

I hope your King Tut Bruise is healing nicely!

Gail Martin said...

Fantastic pictures. Thank you for sharing. My TT is up.

GreekGoddess said...

great photos!!! I've been to Egypt about 10 years ago and I so wish I could go again. My TT is up btw :)

Scone said...

Oh Carmen, that looks like such fun! I'm trying not to be envious. I'm glad you got to go and that you had such a blast.

Anonymous said...

Way cool pictures. It looks like a fabulous trip.

Anonymous said...

Cool photos. Looks like a good time. When I was younger I had a sort of Egypt obsession but it was an ancient egypt obsession and my Mum told me that egypt now is dirty and dangerous so I'm afraid to go there. I could take my hubby now it could be good.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!! I'm so jealous...thanks for sharing!

Pink Chihuahua Princess said...

Girl, you are so lucky to get to travel the world like this. I love this TT, thanks for taking the time to upload all your pics and choose these.

Happy Thursday!

LunaStone said...

Absolutly beautifil!

kaye said...

wonderful memories

Cheryl said...

I want to say something intelligent but all I can come up with is 'WOW'.
I wanna go to Egypt!

Red Queen said...

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I forgot to warn you about the cars and taxis but some things just have to be experienced first hand. I hope you are feeling better today. Be blessed and thanks for stopping by.

Trinity13 said...

How beautiful!!! You make me want to take a trip to Egypt some day...when I have more money!

Have a great weekend!

Froggie said...

Wow! Gorgeous pictures! I especially love #4!! I've always wanted to go to egypt. :) Thank you so much for sharing the pics.

ms blue said...

I guess blogger only hated me yesterday. It took me 20 minutes to leave one comment so I gave up.

Thanks for sharing these awesome pictures. What a wonderful experience!

Wendy aka Cheeky said...

LOVE the night shots - those are wonderful.

This is my first time visiting and I totally got the spaceballs reference...hehe

I played too

Anonymous said...

Wonderful 13 ... stunning photos. Like a travel brochure! Thanks for dropping by mine, too.

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful pics! MAkes me want to go!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you had a wonderful time in Egypt! Awesome pictures.

julie said...

What a fantastic place. Glad you had such a great time!

Hysterectomommy said...

Great pictures!!! My favorite picture from my moms trip is her standing far away from the pyramids with her finger pointing down to the tip of one of them. It looks like you had a great trip.

Kelly said...

These pictures from your trip are FABULOUS!! I can see that you had a great time. It's really beautiful there at night, huh? Thanks for sharing your wonderful vacation with us!

Melli said...

AAAAAH! How did I MISS your Thursday 13 this week? Oh... maybe cuz I didn't play TT this week... DAM! Well... This is TOO much fun!!! Yes I'm going back now to read every word and examine these pics a little closer! OHHHHHH! THANK you for sharing these!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *VBG*

astrocoz said...

Egypt is one of those places that I want to see before I die...not that I am dying anytime soon...I just have to see it in my lifetime! Totally cool pics!

Thanks for stopping by my TT!