Into the Egyptian Desert, Giza, Egypt 2015

Into the Egyptian Desert, Giza, Egypt 2015

 

This photo was actually taken from the vicinity of the Pyramids, looking towards the desert. Giza ends so suddenly at the Pyramids, and the desert begins, that, aside from the vehicle tracks, one would have no expectation that there was anything out there in the desert.

Camel Ride, Giza, Egypt 2015

Camel Ride, Giza, Egypt 2015

This scene reminds me of nothing so much as the promotional shot for the movie Eat, Pray, Love, where the Western women who are the main characters are riding on elephants with their parasols. These camel-riders were doing the circuit around the Pyramids of Giza.

 

Stone Blocks, Giza, Egypt 2015

Stone Blocks, Giza, Egypt 2015

 

Layers of stone blocks leading up the the peak of the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Being at the base of the pyramids, one really appreciates what a mad endeavour they were, transferring so much stone out into the desert, to build giant mounds for small chamber tombs.

At the Pyramid of Khafre, Giza, Egypt 2015

At the Pyramid of Khafre, Giza, Egypt 2015

 

Despite the crowds, there is still a timeless quality to the Pyramids, with their weathered stone in the greyish, dust-filled Cairo sky. The camel-drivers who offer rides dress in a traditional manner, and I think this photo could have easily been taken in the nineteenth century (I have made an alternate version following that line of reasoning).