The Red Sea, Giza, and Saqqara

This weekend, as part of the international student orientation, nearly 400 AUC students spent Friday and Saturday at the Stella di Mare resort on the Red Sea. It was absolutely gorgeous. I have pictures, and will work on getting them up soon. As was expected from a five-star resort, everything was wonderful there. We had about an hour's worth of orientation stuff, and spent the rest of the two days eating and lounging on the beach. The sand on the beach was REALLY hot. The water was pretty warm as well. It was a lot of fun to watch the tide go in and out. The part of the Red Sea we were on was pretty shallow for a long way out. So when the tide went out, you could walk about 100 yards into the sea. It was fun to be out there at night, while the tide was out, until beach security started kicking people off the beach. It was quite a relaxing two days, and I would highly recommend going to the Red Sea if you're ever in the area.




As another part of orientation, Sunday was spent touring Giza and Saqqara. In case you don't know, Giza is the site of the great pyramids. Yes, THE pyramids. And the sphinx. After being in Egypt for almost two weeks, I finally found myself face-to-face with ancient history. Unfortunately, there were around 200 of us AUC students touring the pyramids, along with the typical number of other tourists, so we didn't get to go in the pyramids. We didn't even get that close to them. But I was there, and will go back in order to get closer/go inside. Again, I have pictures, and they will be up soon. Along with going to Giza, we also went to Saqqara. I expect that fewer people know the name 'Saqqara' than Giza. Saqqara is the location of the first pyramid prototype. The great pyramids of Giza were not the first pyramids ever built. The ancient Egyptians were astounding engineers/architects/builders/artists/mathmeticians/etc., but like everyone else, they had to develop their ideas and practice. Saqqara holds the first step-pyramid, which served as starting point for later, greater pyramids. The step-pyramid in Saqqara was designed by Imhotep. Imhotep was probably THE great architect of the ancient world (along with being a bunch of other things). The step-pyramid was designed for King Djoser in the Third Dynasty. Saqqara itself is not just the step-pyramid. Saqqara is, on a greater scale, a sort of necropolis, and in ancient times was used for ceremonies and such. Much of Saqqara has been destroyed over time; however, several burial structures and temples still stand. We went inside the burial place of Meneruka (perhaps spelled incorrectly), and the pyramid of Teti. We also walked through the temple outside of the step-pyramid, and all the way around the step-pyramid. Unfortunately, no tourists are allowed inside the step-pyramid, because it is too dangerous. Like I said, the Egyptians had to practice. Although Imhotep was a great architect, he miscalculated a few things on the first step of the pyramid, causing parts of it to... collapse. Until appropriate restoration can be completed, tourists are not allowed in. But don't worry, I'll get in there some day.






I was totally geeking out during all of this. It was SO cool. I promise pictures. Oh, but pictures of the insides of the tombs aren't allowed. Flash and such damage the precious heiroglyphics inside.