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| June 26th - Giza Pyramids Tour |
I accompanied seven Peace Boat participants on a tour
of Cairo over two days. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly
our visit to the Giza Pyramids.
The Pyramids were a magnificant sight, from afar or near. From afar,
because of the physical enormity of these monoliths. They seem to
dictate, even still, the mood of this ancient society. Up close, I
began to realise the human toll for such magnificence.
We went inside the biggest pyramid. As we entered, the mood of our
group altered noticeably. Outside, we were being pressured to buy
tacky pyramid paperweights, but inside the influence of something
much greater was upon us. Touching the rocks in the entrance hall,
I reflected on the backbreaking work that would have taken place here.
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We then entered a shaft about 1 metre by 1 metre.
The climb was an arduous task, and someone who had an aversion to
confined spaces wouldn`t have fared well. We then came to a narrow
room with quite high ceilings. This room was about 2m by 10m. We stayed
here for a while and had fun with the acoustics of the chamber.
The next room was Tuttankaman's burial place. The mood changed again
when we entered this room. This one was about the size of a 1DK, which
I don't think Tut-san would have been keen on living in pre-humous.
The room was bare except for an empty stone casket. I felt like I
was in the centre of the earth whilst in this room. Indeed, I was
waiting for an avalanche of rocks to block the entrance and all of
us never being heard of again. I lamented at the fact, that if this
happened, there would be spectacular Fuji photo moments of our dying
stages, which no one would ever see and appreciate.
After this mini-adventure, we viewed the other pyramids, and proceeded
to be ripped off by dodgy camel drivers, offering split second experiences
riding these animals, for $US5. We then drove further on to see the
Sphinx. This edifice was impressive too, tail and all. My only complaint,
was that the Sphinx had lost it's nose, so it couldn't smell the stench
of checklist tourism meandering around it's base.
In closing, this experience was very rewarding, because our group
had the chance to do more than simply take pictures, buy souvenirs,
or listen to a tour guide. A real experience consists of interacting
with people and places firsthand. We were able to engage with this
historical place, and not just stare at it from outside a glass box,
which is usually the case with tourist attractions of equal fame.
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| Written by Matt O'Connor |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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