Due to both our work we have tended to take our holidays over Christmas. My industry closes and landscaping in the winter isn’t fun so it makes sense. We had some big trips so we decided to have a smaller one and we headed to Cyprus. While we were there we were given the option of a Day trip to Egypt to see the pyramids. Wow yeah ok. Chance to see one of the wonders of the world; sign us up.
There was a small group of us from the hotel setting off. Short flight but very early start. We join a coach trip with other parties and head off. The guide teaches us some phrases that should help us with the locals. We travel through Cairo, I have never been so nervous as a passenger on a coach. They have no highway code; its a free for all.
Now on the trip from one of our stops to the pyramids I noticed a short gentleman in a suit that had been about since we joined the coach. My spider senses tingled. He glanced at me and a small smile flicked across his face. He then moved and I spotted a gun slung across his back under his jacket. I whispered to my husband about what I had seen. Don’t be daft you imagined it. From that point on it seemed everywhere I went he was behind me. It was like a character from a cartoon that appeared from no where when you turned around.
We decided to venture into the Pyramid. Having to leave everything outside with our tour guide we joined the queue. Finally we head through the entrance. Its two way traffic and I couldn’t figure out why the people coming up were in such a hurry. The tunnel was low so you were pretty much folded in half. Not good for the back. Wooden slats across the floor to hold your grip. Half way down there is a chamber so you can stand full height and straighten.
When we finally make it to the middle I was so disappointed. The room was pretty bare. My husband looks at me and asks if I am ok? I am pale. I need to get out of here. Jeez. Standing in the middle of a pyramid is not the best place to develop claustrophobia. Now I understand why people were rushing to get out. I follow husband back up the tunnel. We don’t stop at the middle level. I am getting out of there. I can just start to feel fresh air when suddenly I head butt hubbies bum. ‘Why have you stopped?’ I hiss. ‘The man in front has stopped.’ ‘Well bite his butt if you have to I need to get out of here.’ I swear I have never been so glad to see the sky.
Standing to the side, taking massive gulping breaths (yes suit man appeared like Mr Benn) one of the gentlemen on the coach says to me ‘not worth it was it?’ I glared at him ‘that information prior would have been nice.’ ‘Sorry its a right of passage if you will excuse the pun.’ I suddenly realise all I can smell is camel poop. The smell is overwhelming. ‘You fancy a ride?’ husband jokes. Nope. I’m good.
We finish the day off with a river boat trip on the Nile. I head off to use the facilities and get stopped as I come out of the ladies. ‘You are a big woman.’ The man before me states. What now? I’m pretty sure I have just been called fat. Maybe I am being sensitive as he is vertically challenged and I tower over him. Well it would be rude to call him short. ‘Er thanks.’ Well what is one supposed to say to that. ‘You here with your husband?’ Ok this is getting weird. ‘Yes’ I look about and see husband walking towards me and to the side suit man has appeared. How does he do that? Didn’t hear him. Didn’t see him.
‘There you are’ husband comes and stands beside me ‘I thought you had got lost.’ ‘This is your wife?’ Shortie smiles at husband ‘I’ve give you two camels for her.’ Hello! What was that? Hold the front page. You want to buy me with two camels. Husband looks at me. At this point I am pretty sure my mouth is opening and closing like a fish. ‘Mmm no sorry. Thanks for the offer though.’ Husband takes my hand and we start to walk off.
‘You were tempted’ I glare at husband. He grins and shrugs ‘where the heck would I keep them if I managed to get them home?’ Suit man finally speaks as we walk by ‘he probably would have paid three camels’ and smiles at me. Nice! E x