Hello again from Eilat (Israel)

Monday night here (monday morning for you guys) It's my last night in Eilat before heading back to Jerusalem in the morning (then on to Vienna) 10:30PM and it's cooled down to 97F (36C) --- I see Seattle is currently 64F (18C)

I had some emails asking about the pyramids and sphinx:

Both the pyramids (9 in Giza) and sphinx are on in Giza in the same area which is next to Cairo (sort of like Des Moines / Federal Way) The hotel we (the tour group) stayed in had a view of the pyramids and it only took 5 minutes to get there by bus. The city is right next to the pyramids / sphinx and there is a McDonalds right in front of the sphinx - as well as numerous other buildings and businesses. While, according to the tour guide, the pyramids / sphinx used to be a ways out of town, Giza is within a city block of them.

The hotel we stayed in was a five star hotel (EXTREMELY nice) The Sofitel (an Accor hotel) and was wonderful. From what I am told, bus fare from Taba (border with Israel) and Cairo is $100. so the tour cost of $234. which included hotel, food, and admissions ($10. for pyramids, $10. for sphinx, and $10. for egyptian museum was a very good bargain.

While it was very cool to see the pyramids, sphinx, and Egyptian museum, egypt has its problems --- more about it when I get back.