Hopkins in Egypt Today

Sunday, January 6, 2008

In front of the superb third dynasty step pyramid of King Neterikhet, called Djoser, stand left to right Sarah, Hili, Jackie, Megan, Ashlyn, and Margaret, while in the next photo are Cassandra, Harvey, and Laura (with Fornati visible behind).

My all time favorite pic from the photographer photographing the photographers: from left to right, Eden, Ashlyn, Hili, and Jackie, and behind are Cassandra and Sarah. You can tell how ready they all were to take in and also keep their experiences fresh.

Great candids of Hili and Jackie, Nina and Jen, and Laura.

At Sakkara there is so much to see. The third dynasty (ca 2750 B.C.E.) pyramid of Djoser forms the great photographic backdrop, and the camel drivers seize the opportunity to have their picture done with visitors – particularly young females like Fornati. At a mastaba (bench-shaped) tomb of a noble on the south side of the step pyramid enclosure, Dr. Bryan points out the hieroglyphs that mention the name of King Unis of the late 5th dynasty, whose pyramid is just west of the tomb.

Awaiting their turn to enter the burial chamber of King Teti of the sixth dynasty, Jen, Fornati, and Alex sit and talk together about their busy morning at Sakkara. Now they go to lunch – food being a somewhat constant theme of this tour – running only a close second to plumbing, as you will hear.

Tarek advises Laney (Dr. Bryan’s sister) about Egyptian food at Fel Fela, a Cairo eating fixture with several locations. Megan, Fornati, and Shania are a bit dubious about the foul (fava beans slow cooked in oil) but everyone gave it a try.

The inevitable visit to the papyrus store where students hear about how papyrus was manufactured in ancient and modern times. Then they have the chance to choose them for themselves. They are actually a great thing to purchase in Egypt, since they are lightweight and are provided in a cylindrical container. Here you see Fornati, Hili and Sarah – with Nina to the left watching the demonstration, while in the next picture Jan sees her papyrus explanation, while Fornati, Jackie, Laura, Sarah, and Cassandra look on.

Shaina fingers a belly dancer outfit – maybe?? Maybe not…. Mark got the “treatment”, but he didn’t buy. Poor frustrated salesmen.