Memphis-Saqqara Conjunto Funerário y Pirámide Escalonada
near Şaqqārah, Giza (Egypt)
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Cairo...Day 6
Not far from the previous scale, which was only planned for the four of us,
Visit to the ruins of Memphis
We arrived at the Saqqara Funeral Complex, a visit that does include the programs reported by the fourteen members of the group. It is neither more nor less than the Memphis Necropolis, located about thirty kilometers from Cairo. Saqqara is mainly the burial place, in mastabas not pyramids, of the pharaohs belonging to the first three dynasties. Zozer later ordered the construction of the first pyramid, with a stepped shape, as a burial place. Somehow it is as if they had built it by putting one mastaba on top of another. It also houses the tombs of leaders, family royalty, and in general, influential people. The attraction of Saqqara lies in the excellent engravings found inside the tombs. Both for its quality and for its good state of conservation. You will not be surprised when I say that we were only able to partially visit this funerary complex, and in a certain hurry. We entered the Kagemni Mastaba, where several groups in a few square meters tried to attend to the explanations. I transcribe what I captured, or it seemed intelligible to me: "The False Doors of the tombs, normally engraved or painted on the wall, had the function of allowing the deceased to pass between the here and beyond (just kidding," the underworld") to collect offerings and interact with the living". In this case the tunnel, although with a low ceiling, did not have a slope. The Tomb of Idut, daughter of King Unas, did not have a tunnel, but narrow corridors, similar to small labyrinths, connected the different rooms. On its walls, the engravings show scenes of daily life, where activities such as fishing and livestock are represented. Fortunately, no one presented symptoms of claustrophobia, nor agoraphobia, we passed by the Step Pyramid, stitching it with bursts of photos, to later parade through the Temple of Imhotep, walk through the colonnade and, arriving at the parking lot, leave for the restaurant. Located right at the entrance to Saqqara, we are greeted by women kneading bread, who offer us, I'll keep quiet, so as not to repeat myself, in exchange for what, and a band of musicians, at the memory of which, I can't keep quiet anymore. I must admit that I lost my usual prudence and respect, and that I commented that they resembled a jukebox with automatons. They only touched and moved when a group of diners arrived, encouraging them to put a tip in the wicker basket, accompanying our entrance with revelry and smiles, while the value of the tip lasted. The menu consists of hummus, rice, vegetables, pita bread, and a grill of chicken, chilli peppers, and long meatballs. Already launched and somewhat addicted to the art of negotiating, I try to get beer, which is not served during Ramadan, and although I make it clear that it would be fine without alcohol, to change drinks more than anything, I have to settle for a super-sweetened Sprite. During the return to the hotel, we suffer another scene of "swallow me earth". Mr. Malak tells us that we will have free time until eight in the evening, when they will pick us up to enjoy dinner, which we have included the four villains, at a local restaurant, offering the rest to sign up for the modest amount of fifteen euro. I suppose you have guessed that we never insist on others, so that they will be encouraged to enjoy optional activities. When the time comes, it is our turn to receive a surprise offer. We can choose to have dinner in front of the pyramids, with a most attractive light and sound show, for fifteen euros. The uniformity of the prices is really striking, never rising due to inflation. We felt very tempted, but applying the principle that when "in doubt... no way", since they didn't know how to give a reason for the menu or the time the fun would end, we stuck to what was included in the program . Luck favors us three ways, although the menu is the same as every day, rice, chicken, vegetables, pita bread and soup. First of all, as an exception or thanks to my might, I get non-alcoholic beer, which almost everyone quickly signs up for. Secondly, the restaurant, located on a boat, is very tastefully decorated, the music is current and not too loud, the lighting is very relaxing and appropriate. As a final touch, a large group of Spaniards, numbering at least fifty, dines next to us, and it seems that a Sufi dancer, with LEDs and very good taste, enters the arena as a show, inviting some diners, picking them up on the fly so as not to let them fall to the ground, when they get dizzy from so much spinning. That is to say, a fed up of laughing for those of us who see it and leaving we are saved. I record my illustrious colleague from Barcelona when it is his turn, pointed out from behind by his faithful companion, and it gives us a laugh and share anecdotes of partying and bodorrios. Laughter and joy lasts until we fall asleep, remembering how much fun we've had, while our eyes close. Tomorrow will be another day of experiences and walks, through Cairo.
Cairo city tour
Not far from the previous scale, which was only planned for the four of us,
Visit to the ruins of Memphis
We arrived at the Saqqara Funeral Complex, a visit that does include the programs reported by the fourteen members of the group. It is neither more nor less than the Memphis Necropolis, located about thirty kilometers from Cairo. Saqqara is mainly the burial place, in mastabas not pyramids, of the pharaohs belonging to the first three dynasties. Zozer later ordered the construction of the first pyramid, with a stepped shape, as a burial place. Somehow it is as if they had built it by putting one mastaba on top of another. It also houses the tombs of leaders, family royalty, and in general, influential people. The attraction of Saqqara lies in the excellent engravings found inside the tombs. Both for its quality and for its good state of conservation. You will not be surprised when I say that we were only able to partially visit this funerary complex, and in a certain hurry. We entered the Kagemni Mastaba, where several groups in a few square meters tried to attend to the explanations. I transcribe what I captured, or it seemed intelligible to me: "The False Doors of the tombs, normally engraved or painted on the wall, had the function of allowing the deceased to pass between the here and beyond (just kidding," the underworld") to collect offerings and interact with the living". In this case the tunnel, although with a low ceiling, did not have a slope. The Tomb of Idut, daughter of King Unas, did not have a tunnel, but narrow corridors, similar to small labyrinths, connected the different rooms. On its walls, the engravings show scenes of daily life, where activities such as fishing and livestock are represented. Fortunately, no one presented symptoms of claustrophobia, nor agoraphobia, we passed by the Step Pyramid, stitching it with bursts of photos, to later parade through the Temple of Imhotep, walk through the colonnade and, arriving at the parking lot, leave for the restaurant. Located right at the entrance to Saqqara, we are greeted by women kneading bread, who offer us, I'll keep quiet, so as not to repeat myself, in exchange for what, and a band of musicians, at the memory of which, I can't keep quiet anymore. I must admit that I lost my usual prudence and respect, and that I commented that they resembled a jukebox with automatons. They only touched and moved when a group of diners arrived, encouraging them to put a tip in the wicker basket, accompanying our entrance with revelry and smiles, while the value of the tip lasted. The menu consists of hummus, rice, vegetables, pita bread, and a grill of chicken, chilli peppers, and long meatballs. Already launched and somewhat addicted to the art of negotiating, I try to get beer, which is not served during Ramadan, and although I make it clear that it would be fine without alcohol, to change drinks more than anything, I have to settle for a super-sweetened Sprite. During the return to the hotel, we suffer another scene of "swallow me earth". Mr. Malak tells us that we will have free time until eight in the evening, when they will pick us up to enjoy dinner, which we have included the four villains, at a local restaurant, offering the rest to sign up for the modest amount of fifteen euro. I suppose you have guessed that we never insist on others, so that they will be encouraged to enjoy optional activities. When the time comes, it is our turn to receive a surprise offer. We can choose to have dinner in front of the pyramids, with a most attractive light and sound show, for fifteen euros. The uniformity of the prices is really striking, never rising due to inflation. We felt very tempted, but applying the principle that when "in doubt... no way", since they didn't know how to give a reason for the menu or the time the fun would end, we stuck to what was included in the program . Luck favors us three ways, although the menu is the same as every day, rice, chicken, vegetables, pita bread and soup. First of all, as an exception or thanks to my might, I get non-alcoholic beer, which almost everyone quickly signs up for. Secondly, the restaurant, located on a boat, is very tastefully decorated, the music is current and not too loud, the lighting is very relaxing and appropriate. As a final touch, a large group of Spaniards, numbering at least fifty, dines next to us, and it seems that a Sufi dancer, with LEDs and very good taste, enters the arena as a show, inviting some diners, picking them up on the fly so as not to let them fall to the ground, when they get dizzy from so much spinning. That is to say, a fed up of laughing for those of us who see it and leaving we are saved. I record my illustrious colleague from Barcelona when it is his turn, pointed out from behind by his faithful companion, and it gives us a laugh and share anecdotes of partying and bodorrios. Laughter and joy lasts until we fall asleep, remembering how much fun we've had, while our eyes close. Tomorrow will be another day of experiences and walks, through Cairo.
Cairo city tour
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