The Gynormous Pointy Triangles

As I stepped out of the car, I could not possibly believe that I was standing in front of the only remaining one of the original 7 wonders of the world. I mean, it cannot possibly be. I thought I was going to cry and before I managed to take a step towards the pyramid, I was swarmed with a horde of bloody camel touters.

Luckily Reena told me beforehand the expected price to pay for camel rental was 30 Egyptian pounds. Therefore I was not surprised when I was offered an overly inflated camel rental rate of over 100 Egyptian pounds. I told them that I could rent a limousine WITH a driver to go round the pyramids with that price! As I realised that the tourists season was low, I offered to pay only 20 Egyptian pounds (E.P.).

Of course they scuffed at my offer with the obligatory expression of insult on their faces, telling me that I was crazy. This particular camel guide who called himself Mickey Mouse pointed to a nearby couple and told me they paid 120 E.P. each to which I retorted, "That's because they are suckers."

After I thought we have finalised the price of 20 E.P. per camel, they brought us through a maze of cemetery which was used to bury the workers who built the pyramids. It was quite creepy since there was nobody else there apart from us 2 women and the camel guide. I could imagine it as a scene from a movie; being led to a secluded area to be gang raped and killed. Thank goodness we were only led to our camels.

I was super annoyed when after all that, he extorted more money from us, and throughout the camel ride he kept asking us to tip him later. I was so pissed off so I told him to shut up and to stop talking about money.

The most unfortunate thing was he rode one of our camels with us which we then found out was wrong. He was supposed to lead us on a separate horse or on foot. Of course he did not do anything to us but it was still very cheeky of him. Rebecca suspected something was amiss when each time another guide passed us, they would exchange comments in Arabic which made her felt very uncomfortable.

I was later told that if I were to inform his boss of his behaviour, he would have been instantenously sacked but not before a slap on his face by his boss, right in front of us. Oh nevermind, whatever thrill he got from us sitting behind him was to be considered as charity work.

Anyway, the pyramids were truly marvelous but the trip was marred by the unscrupulous bunch of camel touters. Next time, bring your own camel.

N.B. Touting is expected anywhere in the world where there is high concentration of tourists presence.

CAUTION: Camel riding results in sore bottom and sore thighs (inner) but I suppose it all depends how fit you are, posture, and camel ride distance. We were on the camel for over an hour. I could not walk properly for days.