The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khufu, is the only one of the three Pyramids on the Giza Plateau that can be visited inside.
During my first and second trip to Egypt, while visiting the pyramids I wanted to go inside, but each time my guide discouraged me.
“There is nothing in there but an empty sarcophagus, don’t bother. There is nothing to see.”
And each time I believed him, regretting it when I came home.
During my third trip I was without a guide, and I had decided that this time I will go inside the Great Pyramid. After missing it twice I was afraid that if I would never again come to Egypt I had missed seeing a pyramid on the inside. And not just any pyramid, but the Great Pyramid of Giza, Khufu’s Pyramid that was built for him in 2584 BC, over four thousands years ago —- and I would regret it for the rest of my life.
So I made arrangements to go. When I had paid the driver, I went to buy my ticket. The visit to go inside I was told ” is 15 ($2) Egyptian Pounds extra.” I didn’t mind!!! The pyramid complex is closed off with a wire fence. Yes, it is a very long fence, enclosing the three pyramids and the sphinx. It prevents anyone from just walking around, and it is revenue for the state.
The entrance looks like the eye of a needle. It is hard to see, when you don’t know where it is.
And to reach it I had to claim up rows of huge stone. There, while taking half of my ticket, an official dressed in a white uniform and a black cap, gave me instructions which I didn’t understand.
‘You have to show that half when you leave” a by standing tourist explained.
“But why” I asked
‘They want to make sure that you did not slip in without a ticket.”
Tucking the rest of my ticket away, I was wondering what would happen if I had slipped in without a ticket????
I was finally where I had wanted to go since my first visit 18 months ago. There were stairs, lots of stairs. The first set was built into the rock and I could still stand straight while walking up, but soon the climb became more difficult, not only were the stairs much narrower, but what was worse, the ceiling was lower and lower, and while holding both handrails tight, I was folded in two crawling up the last set of stairs.
I don’t know if it was the lack of air, the stifling heat, or my struggle to make it to the top, but I don’t remember ever feeling as hot and out of breath as when I finally stood in, what is assumed to be, the burial chamber of Khufu —
……. and my guide had been right, besides the empty sarcophagus there was nothing – no decoration, or inscriptions, just plain HUGE blocks of stone, like the one holding up the ceiling(still a mystery today of how it was put up there) — but it was a good place to catch my breath
Leaving I felt like I was sliding out of the pyramid because I had to do it backwards now — gripping the handrails again, and hoping for more air the further I came down.
Would I go again? NO! YES! MAYBE! I don’t know, but standing outside afterwards and looking up at what is today the only surviving testimony of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, I felt a great sense of accomplishment.
When I told a friend about my adventure he said, “I did that when I was 25, and never again.” Maybe being 25 would have helped?
More from Egypt soon
Brigitte
Lucky I was not with you. I would NOT have done that trip in the pyramid. Happy Spring. Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:44:12 +0000 To: peggyanne76@hotmail.com
LikeLike
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading
it, you are a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will
often come back someday. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your
great job, have a nice afternoon!
LikeLike
Thanks for your candid opinion. I think this is one site that I’ll skip.
LikeLike
Hi blogger, i must say you have hi quality content
here. Your website should go viral. You need initial traffic only.
How to get it? Search for: Mertiso’s tips go viral
LikeLike