Cairo -Port Said Egypt Day Two

After breakfast, we were back on the bus for our 20 mile drive to the Sakkara Pyramids and then the ancient capital Memphis. Some of the pyramids are being restored with workers chiseling stone and hauling rock up simple scaffolding. We surmised that their backbreaking work was not so different from the original slave workers. Again walking all over the huge site we were fascinated at how well the hieroglyphics and carvings had survived the nearly 4,000 years. Stephen climbed/crawled down a shaft deep into the heart of a pyramid to see the burial rooms still adorned with wall etchings and paintings.
In Memphis, we were able to walk around a massive 50-60 foot statue of Ramses II and view the Alabaster Sphinx, which is in better condition that the more famous Giza Sphinx. A mandatory stop was one of many Carpet Factories/Schools where we saw children as young as 8 or 9, working away hand tying rugs. It was child labor as we know exists in third world countries. Were these children slaves or young underpaid workers robbed of their youth? The coins we gave them were quickly hidden away. Saddened by what we saw, none of us bought anything.
Later in the day we viewed the Mohammed Ali Alabaster Mosque before returning on a three hour drive to Port Said and our ship. Just before reaching home, we drove along the Suez Canal and saw the new Mubarak Peace Bridge, which we are sure will have a new name when it opens in a few months.
Egypt was a wonderful experience. Few tourists provided an ease of seeing incredible sights unencumbered. Aside from the chaos and poverty of a mid Eastern city, people were happy that we were there on the first days of their new democracy. Our Egypt lecturer on board ship a few days prior to arrival was not as optimistic, in that the upcoming elections may not bring a moderate leadership. In the meantime we were glad we were there, and the anticipated “revolution” that is happening each week since the fall of the government, did not occur today as predicted.
And now as the Prinsendam thrusters are revving up for departure, we are ready for our Exodus and arrival in Israel in the morning.