Sunrise camel ride at Giza pyramids

Ahmed added to our Cairo experience in a number of ways. First, he’s a calm, kind presence, adding no pressure in a city that can sometimes feel like an overwhelming journey through chaos. Second, his Toyota Corolla is exactly the car needed to navigate this city with precious few traffic lights. On highways and streets allotted three lanes you find yourself amidst four to five vehicles vying for the opportunity to move forward…minivans carrying 14 passengers, tour buses, and local delivery trucks only heighten the risk of calamity, but Ahmed navigates the traffic with a sure eye and trusted hand. Third, if you’re a photographer, Ahmed will go to great lengths to ensure you maximize your opportunity for those special sunrise and sunset shots at Giza. Our morning expedition in the dunes outside 6th October City began with a camel ride in darkness to a lightening sky. Our camel guide commenced to produce firewood and to set a small campfire. He heated tea in kettles and served us as the sun rose over Cairo to the east and the pyramids to the north. Likewise, Ahmed put out a spread of falafel, pita filled with savory meats, herbs, and cheeses, as well as date cookies. During our sunset photo expedition he delivered us to the rooftop of the best situated hotel below the Giza plateau. Directly in front of us, the Sphinx, with its three major pyramidal companions arrayed like silent sentinels behind. We enjoyed drinks and chatting with other sunset viewers, stories above the hullabaloo of tourists streaming in from noisy buses to see the sound and light show after dark. (We had seen the sound and light show previously, but Ahmed is happy to arrange the same rooftop sunset viewing to include al fresco dinner and the opportunity to view the sound and light show without sitting on plastic folding chairs spread across the tourist plaza). What’s more, Ahmed allowed us to shop and to use a reliable ATM without additional charges for the time and convenience (NOTE—every extra in Egypt typically comes with an incremental cost and additional, accompanying tip.) Ahmed also gave us a glimpse into ‘rolling like a local’ when he helped us purchase shawerma from a local place…the food was great! What’s more Ahmed was ready to handle our transfer back to Cairo airport, which we will take advantage of another time (Our tour package included pre-paid transfers with the rest of our group, so we stayed with that plan…it would have been faster and easier to have booked Ahmed for a