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This Is Egypt
Discovering the Many Wonders of This Land
By Jill Eggleton Brett
Standing at the base of the Great Pyramid in Giza, the intense heat from the midday sun goes unnoticed. The thought of this pyramid being built 4,500 years ago, being a silent witness to time and all the changing civilizations throughout the ages, is truly overwhelming.
The Nile River has shifted seven miles since the building of the pyramids, but once flowed alongside these tremendous monuments. This site at Giza, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, consists of the Great Pyramid built by King Cheops, a second and smaller pyramid built by Cheops' son Kephren and a third and even smaller pyramid built by Mycerinus. And The Sphinx, which has a lion's body and a human face, sits constantly guarding these ancient creations. Legend has it that The Sphinx resembles Kephren.
Of course there is much more to Egypt than the site at Giza. The Egyptians themselves are the key to an unforgettable trip to the gateway to Africa. They are an inviting, hospitable population full of curiosity about America. And most of the Egyptians I came in contact with during my trip knew enough English for us to be able to communicate effectively. The Egyptians were willing assistants and always had a smile wrapped around a pleasant word. Although the native population is amiable, travelers do need to keep in mind certain unwavering customs so as not to upset the cultural norms.
Egypt is a third-world country; therefore, traveling to Egypt is like stepping back in time. The technology, amenities and advantages that Americans take for granted are limited there. Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is somewhat modern, as well as Alexandria, which is situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. But after venturing to the outskirts of these cities, one will find an Egypt that time has barely touched.
Egypt is an Islamic, or Muslim, nation, with 10 percent of its population being Christian. This fact envelops Egyptian society in Islamic religious traditions and culture. It is the norm for Muslim women to be covered in public except for their face. Their traditional clothing includes loose-fitting ankle-length dresses with draping shawls and scarves. Many variations and extremes on this norm exist, from being completely covered (even the face by a veil) to women in Cairo wearing Western clothing and having their hair fully exposed. However, Egyptian men have no cultural clothing restrictions placed on them.