Dahshur and Saqqara…Egypt

We opt for a guided tour and lucked into getting Hana El Zoghby (contact +20 106 333 7352), an Egyptologist who knew her heritage well. An intelligent woman, muslim divorcee, raising a daughter on here own, she still managed to have a great sense of humour in this very male dominated country.

The Bent Pyramid, by King Sniferu’s first attempt but corners unstable. Finished but abandoned. Known for having retained a good amount of its original outer surface ( white, smooth stone).

A Tourist Policeman offers to take us up the small derelict pyramid, beside the Bent, for a great view. Of course a tip is the motive, poor wages and all. Adriana finds his badge in the sand as we strole around the pyramid and returns it to him when he comes down.  The poor fellow frantically implores us to not report the incident through gestures.

The nearby The Red Pyramid, (c2600BC) again by Sniferu, claims to be the first true Pyramid and is Egypt’s 3rd largest.

Good exercise to visit inside – crouching on long slanted ramps with limited visibility. Good glute and thigh workout. (We’re still recovering two days later).

Next Stop Saqqara

Saqarra is a huge complex -7 kilometers north to south. it was the city of the dead for the old Kingdom’s capital, Memphis.

We stop at a current archeological excavation. It’s very deep and huge. We can look down and see the activity but the site manager makes it clear: ‘ no pictures what-so- ever!’

The Step Pyramid built by the architect/high priest, Imhotep, for the 3rd dynasty King Djoser and its mortuary temple. This is old.

The step pyramid was built of stone replacing traditional mud mastafas (oblong structures). The pyramid was made with stone mastafas piled high,each shorter than the one above).

Hana recommends Cheristo Seafood Restaurant in Gaza for a special meal. She checks out the kitchen and ensures the best including that fresh oil be used for the calimari! It was an amazing seafood meal: 4 seafish, calimari, shrimp, a special rice. Scrumptious.

A fabulous day! Thank you Hana.

Highly recommend our Guide Hana El Zoghby +20 106 333 7352. She appreciates any business coming here way and it’s great to support a female sole-support local.