Anyway, after my dad indicated we might have an interest in riding a camel to this guy, who introduced himself as Muhammed and was dressed like a Bedouin, we had a friend. Great, I love making new friends. At first we shook him off, promising we would come back to that spot to look for him. He said to us that Dad was like a father to him and I was like his son to him, which was a pretty random thing to say.
After leaving him behind, we continued on to check out the pyramids. After a few minutes we turn around and, guess who is following us on horseback? Our good friend. He had his partner with him, camel in tow. Son of a bitch. I guess my promises weren't good enough for him. We moved on, and one of the guards standing by one of the pyramids motioned that the three of us could step over the rope surrounding the pyramid (great protection, that rope) and touch the pyramid. Wow, great. Not often you can get so close to one of the wonders of the World. After snapping some photos, the guard indicated he wanted a tip. That really restored my faith in Egypt's finest. Witnessing this from horseback, Muhammed said everyone at the pyramid site was dishonest. Apparently he was the exception.
We moved on to the next pyramid, with our guardian angel a little ways behind. We kept on scheming as to how to drop this guy. I was livid. Adam's travel tip #2: Whenever in an area with lots of pushers and hawkers, wait until you are done doing all that you want to do before you speak even a word to any of these guys. For exactly this reason. They will just follow and pester you if you show any interest whatsoever. Unfortunately Dad had made this mistake with Muhammed. It was hard to really enjoy walking around with these vultures circling.
At the next pyramid Muhammed and his buddies got close and we decided to confront him. Dad reiterated that Luke just wanted to sit on the stupid beast, not ride it. We came up with excuses, saying I was sick and couldn't ride. Muhammed disappeared around the corner and his friend let Luke get up on the camel. After about two minutes and a couple of photos, the fun was over. The guy, when offered five pounds, balked at it and got pissed. He said "some people 100 pounds, some people 50". If this idiot thought he was going to get 50 pounds for two minutes of sitting on his beast of burden, he had something coming. He kept on refusing my money, so I was prepared to walk away. Finally he took it and left us in peace.
We spent quite a bit more time around the pyramids after that, even walking down into a small tomb. A sign indicated no cameras, and the guard even searched for cameras. But when some good-looking Russian chicks started down the tunnel with CAMERAS IN THEIR HANDS, the guard relaxed a little bit. I waited outside with the cameras while Dad and Luke went down, so I witnessed this hypocrisy. When it was my turn, I used my iPod to take a photo down in the tomb, just out of spite.
A word on the pyramid area. I was pretty disappointed with Egyptian authorities and their protection of the nation's treasures. Garbage, mainly soda cans and chip bags, were strewn everywhere, mainly from the hawkers who stay in the area. In other places, not the pyramids, but some other ruins, have graffiti on them. It doesn't help either when the guards are seemingly open to bribery.
We spent the entire day out in the desert exploring pyramids. We were pretty beat upon getting back to the hotel, and could feel the dust and grit on our bodies. Welcome to Egypt.
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