Aug. 12. - South of Cairo and west of the ancient city of Memphis is Saqqara. It is the site of the step Pyramid, thought to be the earliest stone structure built by the Egyptians, nearly five thousand years ago.

As its name suggests, the Step Pyramid is a series of six levels of stone decreasing in size as they ascend to about 200 feet/60 meters in height. Until this time, mastabas had been the principal form of pyramid architecture. A mastaba (Arabic for "bench") is a low rectangular structure which was built over a shaft which descended to a burial location.

It was built by the famous architect Imhotep for King Djoser (ca. 2630-2611 B.C.). All around the pyramid complex are cemeteries where royal officials were buried throughout Egyptian history. We went to the one called Mastaba of Mereruka. It is a family burial ground divided into fully 32 chambers, 17 of which are reserved to Mereruka, who held the position fovizier during the reign of Teti.

Afterwards, we visited the Alabaster Mosque and the Sultan Husan Mosque.

In the evening, I opted to see the "Sounds & Lights" of the Pyramids of Giza. Dinner was our last time together as a group as we bid adieu. Debbie left her peanut butter, cans of tuna, and assorted snacks which helped me get going in places such as Turkey, French Riviera and the French Alps. The peanut butter lasted another 4 weeks.

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