2A/N hey! well I did this for my English A-level coursework last year! I had so much fun writing this, because, well i made myself laugh at least! haha, just be thankfull you didnt have to write a full in deep analytical and linguistis essay on it as well, grr should have really used more language techniques! but ney mind! enjoy :D
Jacksy x
The roaring of the planes enormous engines cut nicely over the top of people talking and babies screaming on the plane, and I was beginning to wish I had splashed out to first class rather than economy. Looking out the tiny window to find some relief I found my destination, bringing back to me all the memories of the first time around.
Screeching of tyres and the smear of greasy skin against windows told us that we were at our destination. After peeling away our noses which had previously been pushed up the windows in order to get a better sight of the scenery, I made my way off the coach to be once again accosted by Egyptian salesmen; who think 'no' means 'yes' and 'go away' means 'lower the price and I'll think about it'. Shaking them off with a combination of 'no', keeping my head down, and walking quickly, I was finally able to see in their full glory why I had travelled 2181 miles to get here.
The Giza Pyramids, the only surviving Ancient Wonder of the World; towering and tranquil giants, standing proud for millions of natives and tourists alike.
After feeling the breeze and taste of sand on my tongue I realise that I had been standing with my mouth gaping open. Abruptly shutting it, I drifted towards them in an awestruck state of wonder that the Pyramids have the ability to cast over you.
A shout was heard, and the command for a group photo was met with the groans of all those involved. Having a picture taken in 35 degree temperatures whilst you don't look your best, is not every girl's ideal situation.
After huddling together for that 'memory of a life time' picture, we were able to make our way forward to the Pyramid. Craning my head upwards in order to try and get the full scope, I had vague recollections of being told absurd facts about which other famous buildings could fit inside them. (Something like 100 football pitches, St Paul's Cathedral thrown in there a couple of times along with Sydney Opera House and the Empire State Building) All of which seemed ridiculously miniscule being compared to these colossal giants in front of me.
Surprised by the fact that people were actually allowed to climb up on the side of Pharaoh Khafre's Pyramid, and even more so because there was an actual tourist route staircase for a trip up the side. Hesitating only for a second, I soon was joining the stream of ant like people for a photo (which turned out like a page out of a Where's Wally book) and the chance to say that I had indeed climbed up the side of the symbol of Egypt. A Pyramid.
Never being one to turn down a new experience, I jumped at the chance of being actually able to go inside Pharaoh Khafre's pyramid. Paying the money to get in I was soon clambering my way down to the entrance. Having stopped just outside the doorway ( I say doorway, but really just the hole of the side of the pyramid) due to the queue that had seemed to have formed inside of the pyramid itself, I could feel the heat pulsating from within. At the back of my mind I knew this wasn't a good sign for what I was going to find the conditions like inside, but I climbed in anyway.
The heat and smell enveloped me like smog, as soon as I stepped inside. With being bent over in order to being able to climb down, and the fact that others were climbing up the rungs in order to get out the same way we came in, made the very small space available very claustrophobic; especially as I was following some unknown persons rear end the whole way.
Eventually we came to the tomb, and I was able to stand straight once more. Feeling dizzy from the blood rush, and the lack of oxygen in the heat, I made my way over to where every tourist seemed to be congregated.
To my surprise and disappointment I found there to be only an empty concrete coffin where Pharaoh Khafre's sarcophagus would have been harboured, and treasures lain had tomb raiders not beaten us centuries before.
After standing there for a couple of moments, with my eyes wide and my brain thinking 'is that it?', I made for the entrance to the tomb, which would take me back into the claustrophobic tunnel, only to find an Egyptian tour guide unabashedly holding out his hands for money. Fearing he may not let me out of the oven shaped pyramid, I shoved a couple of dollars in his hands and quickly dived for the tunnel.
Breaking out even into the 35 degree heat felt refreshing, and I was mentally thanking anyone who had placed the entrance into the pyramid on the shaded side. It was a once in a life time opportunity, which I was glad I had taken advantage of, but one I would never take again.
Time against us, we begrudgingly scrambled back onto the coach through the paparazzi of salesmen on our way, whom were now offering hands in marriage (an odd step up from trying to sell us something), and travelled to the other side of Cairo to our hotel for the night.
After waiting a decent 45 minutes in order to get up to our room (apparently the 5 star hotel's 6 lifts cannot deal very well with multitudes of school children desperate to get to their rooms) we were tired, annoyed and dusty to say the least.
The luxury of the room only pushed these highly grated nerves to the back for approximately 5 minutes, whilst we screamed in delight at our room which provided much greater comfort than that of the ship's. Sure enough though those nerves came back with a vengeance, with my travelling partner and I, perfectly culminating the last highly irritating and exhausting hour with an argument.
With our demons exorcised, we were able to continue that evening along better than we had done the entire day. After a well deserved rest and shower, we were off to a night of promised entertainment of dinner on the Nile.
Rolling up to the restaurant, we were surprised at the sheer elegance of the boat that would be traversing the Nile whilst we ate. We sat ourselves down next to a window that would give us the best view of Cairo by night (only spoilt by a passing TGI Friday's restaurant boat). Taking a look round the restaurant I was astonished to find that our waiters for the night were authentically dressed as Ancient Egyptians, albeit unwillingly in most cases.
Dinner was served, and in buffet style as usual, I filled my plate with the conscious thought to avoid seafood and ice-cream, as I had been advised (although admittedly neither I nor anybody else took any heed of this advice for the latter), and we were treated to dinner amusement in the form of a Belly Dancer (odd) and a Whirling Dervish (even odder).
With our hunger sated, we were again indulged to after dinner entertainment as a Egyptian singer and his band mounted the stage. With everyone's attention poised on him he begun his set with a variety of Arabic songs, to which no-one but he and the waiters understood. With them finished he started with his own unique versions of popular western hit songs. Everyone started to smile and laugh with recognition, and as soon as the Egyptian bands version of The Macarena came on, no-one could resist the urge to dance any more.
The first time I had been here, I hardly appreciated what was stood right in front of me, now this time around I was going back to re-discover through more mature eyes, the real beauty Egypt has to offer.
A/N There you go! PLease review:D Jacksy x