The Step Pyramid

The whole reason for going to Saqqara was to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, but we soon came to realize that it was a seriously good decision for other reasons. The first...there was no one there!This fabulous complex is not far from the 'derelict' looking remains of Memphis that we saw yesterday. Saqqara was the site of the royal necropolis for Memphis, & consequently, we expected it to be in a similar state. How wrong we were. A fabulous parking area for the non-existent tour buses, a small museum, an informative audiovisual presentation room to start the experience, and...as mel recommended...a decent tiolet! The other REALLY surprising treat, was that the whole area was surrounded by sand, & with no hordes, nor infringing of urban boundaries, it was QUIET. Consequently, approaching this most ancient prototype for all pyramids to follow, was AWESOME! It was having some surgery applied to it today, in order to stabilize the crumbling rock, but even so, it was a magnificent sight. We were able to walk through the pillared entrance way, designed to look like palm trunks & later in the courtyard, climbed up to see a frieze of cobras, surprisingly in good condition. We were standing on a site begun in the 27th century BC. Serious time warp moment, as all we surveyed was covered in sand!