Cairo, Egypt

June 26: Marriage survives packing

June 27: To Be...or Not To Be

Left only pen, not for distribution, with check-in desk...good thing we had a boxful of useless others packed underneath the plane! First trip expenditure included new pen at Hudson Book's for $4.50. At least it depicted good sites to visit while in Chicago... Next time we're there, we'll have to check those out.
Flight from Chicago to NYC delayed 90 minutes. Ran to catch connection only to find door closed. Tears and sympathy worked: door opened. We managed to get on board for two separated seats. Sympathy again found us together for the 10 1/2 hour flight from NYC to Chicago. Egyptians applauded both take-off and landing - I just love traveling with novices - it makes it exciting all over again

June 28: Touchdown

For your reading pleasure, Mark and Angel have created a heat index to give our readers a relative understanding of the heat we're experiencing in Egypt.
Level 1: Chicago August (minus humidity)
Level 2: South Dakota July
Level 3: Houston September
Level 4: Riviera Maya June
Level 5: Kyoto August

We felt like our landing time represented about a 2 of the heat index. Totally bearable.

June 29: Coptic Cairo and The Citadel

Our first amazing glimpse of the pyramids of Giza from atop the Citadel where the Mosque of Muhammed Ali was built. Overslept 6:30am alarm, woke up at 11, just in time for the heat of the day to really set in for our day of exploration
Heat Index: Riviera Maya June (Level 4)

June 30: Down for the Count

All the guide books say that every tourist gets Ramses Revenge. We did on Day 3. Tour to Dashur, Saqqara, Memphis aborted mid-trip due to what felt like approaching death for both of us. Reviewed repatriation of remains clause in Intrepid Travel Trip Notes. We were covered.
Heat Index: Kyoto August (Level 5) + near-death

July 1: Happy Birthday Georgia!! Happy Birthday Thom!

Back on our feet for the Great Pyramids. No doubt as to why the Great Pyramid, as the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, retains its title. Entered the Queen's pyramid and burial chamber, stood beside the Sphinx and took a guided tour with our Intrepid Travel Guide Achmed (Egyptologist & Archaeologist) of the Egyptian Museum. Incredible.
Getting ready to depart for Aswan on what I'm sure will be a luxurious overniht train trip;-)
Heat Index: Riviera Maya June (Level 4) (minus suspicions of near-death)

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