Cairo again

Back in Cairo, the sandstorm has passed, and it's clear enough to see a little of the city. The Cairo Museum is mind-numbing. The Mummies Room contains 13 pharaohs, with heads, hands, and feet unwrapped. From 12" away you can look into the eyes of kings of Egypt from 3,500 years ago. Their fingernails are still intact, and still perfectly manicured. Tomb-robbing has been a huge problem throughout Egypt for millenia (not surprising since they literally contain a pharaoh's treasure).

The only tomb ever found complete was King Tut's, and the museum has every single item it contained. Since King Tut died suddenly when relatively young, arrangement for his burial were rushed.  This is why many of the items found in his tomb were packed very tightly (see picture from internet).  But when all the items were laid out, there was enough stuff to fill a 20,000 square foot area! And every bit is priceless, not just the many items that are solid gold and silver.

Each sarcophagus is unique, but this museum has hundreds of them! Everywhere you look, items are 3,000 years old. It seems the size of one of the Smithsonian Institution buildings, except this museum focuses only Egypt, not the whole world. It's absolutely staggering.

Then we went shopping for exotic oils (these are all natural, nothing made with chemicals here, which is why the oils in alabaster jars in King Tut's tomb are still perfectly preserved 3,000 years later). We have high hopes for their medicinal and relaxation powers! On to the Citadel in Cairo, a residence and fort from the 12th century that covers more than 70 acres, and houses several museums.
Time really flies by. Tomorrow on to Amman, Jordan, and a trip to Petra.