Egypt Winter 2011 - Day 6 - the alternative

Ok, so normally on this day, we would tour Old Cairo, go to the Egyptian Museum, have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, and spend the afternoon at the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar. HOWEVER, Cairo was full of protestors so we go to do something that no other groups has done or probably will ever do. We went to the Dashur Pyramids. This area is an on-going excavation dig and noone besides the archeologists are allowed there. Cool huh!!!
So, we all slept in, had a late breakfast and then went to Dashur. Here is a view of the 2 pyramids there as we approach. Notice that the one on the left is bent. Oddly enough, it is called the Bent Pyramid!! This pyramid is the Red pyramid.

We walked all the way around it.

Here is a section, where the outside covering is still in place. This would have covered the entire pyramid.

Some went inside. I'm actually not sure whether this is going UP inside or DOWN inside. :)

At least it looks like they can stand up in this one!

This is the Bent Pyramid. The story they tell, is that the architect started building and then realized that it wasn't going to stand up at the angle he had begun it at, so he changed angles to finish. Our archeologist faculty don't think so. But, that is much more interesting than their explanation! ;)

You can see that this one has more of the covering face left on it.

Here is a close-up. Notice, that even way out here, where there aren't usually toursits - there are camel drivers!

More outer casing.

This is Snefru's Valley Temple. This is where the main dig is taking place. Our 2 archeologists thought that they had died and gone to heaven. They had each tried to get in to this place using their archeology cards/influence. But, to no avail, until now!! Thanks Gabry Tours.

In the right, lower corner of this photo, is the causeway that ran from the temple to the Bent Pyramid.

Here is our 2 archeologists, expressing their delight!

Following this adventure, we went to a really cool outdoor tent restaurant. There were musicians and the food was great and the atmosphere was so much fun. Not sure why Kent didn't take any photos here. - He was probably thinking more about eating than about bringing his camera with him from the bus!

The rest of the day, the students spent, relaxing at the hotel.

Stay tuned for the what the "old people" did!