Birthday at the pyramids

Turning thirty? Feeling old? I can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate it than at one of the oldest world wonders. Stare at them long enough in the desert and one might get some wise answers one relic to another. Or a heat stroke, dehydration…just kidding

This was as usual for me a last minute solo trip with multiple destinations. I looked into getting a tour guide but threw that whole idea away and did it on my own to spend more time there. I flew in from Athens and landed in Egypt airport located about an hour drive from old town Giza. Payed the twenty five dollars cash for an enty visa, passport control then out the doors. I booked a room with pyramid views at Marvel Stone Hotel and waited for their pickup. A little advice they may be late, you may freak out, you may have taxi drivers accost you trying to get you to pay twenty dollars for the ride when ten is more like it in the day time. Eventually the driver arrived, I got in the car and we made our way to the outskirts of the city across the Nile river.

Hot cab, traffic, getting stares never really sure if its my locs, my complexion or just the fact that certain Arab nations (most of the world really) arbohr some bias towards darker skinned folks but never mind all that.(We are on the continent of Africa never the less). But I was here and unapologetic about my blackness, deal with it.

Got my bearings, some food and caught the pyramid sound and light show from my room. The next day I woke up energized and grateful to see yet another year, bask in my blessings while watching the sun rays illuminate the pyramids from the roof. Later got some breakfast walked over to the Giza Pyramid complex. One hundred sixty Egyptian pounds(9$) entry fee, twenty for my tripod and walked in past the offers of guides. Camel drivers, horse drives, carriages all offering their services to get you to the best views. Pick one, hassle your way, pay first or say no and keep walking. I walked in early enough around nine in the morning, so it felt like I had the place to myself for a while. It was a good day, later I headed for dinner at a restaurant across the street. Watched the sunset and reflected on the years blessings. I was on a quest of visiting thirty countries before turning thirty. I was in country thirty five celebrating my 30th. A little bit of success for your girl!

Wherever it is you’ve been dreaming of going, get your affairs in order and go. There is so much to see, get out there even if you have to go solo. And yes, there are moments of apprehension travelling alone in foreign places where you don’t understand the language. But I’m a strong believer that when my time is up wherever I may be then its time to go. There is no such place as safe when its your time, I just have faith and try to be aware of my surroundings.

Phone in hand activating the tripod, a solo travellers best friend 😄