155.
Probably anything to do with tourists and the pyramids must have Egyptian bureaucratic approval, but since tonight is the full moon and we are in a hurry, we decide to celebrate the occasion on top of the “red” pyramid, Mankara, without getting any official permission.
We wait until sunset and then once again catch the Giza bus. The tremendous geometric mountains again loom in the bright moonlight. We cautiously sneak through the rows of ruined tombs in the sand to the side of the pyramid, which is in the blackest moon-shadow, and begin our ascent.
The pyramids are built in tiers so the climb is fairly easy—like scrambling up a giant staircase.
A galloping horse below makes us freeze into the darkest of the shadows as we remember the rifles of the guards we met on our first pyramid expedition. When it is quiet again and we feel safe we continue our climb and in less than half an hour stand on the irregular stones at the apex of the pile.
Almost directly above us now, the full moon illuminates the ancient causeway below, used as we suppose, by devotees of Amon and Ra.
On my right are three much lesser pyramids and, on my left the huge silent pyramids of Korfu and Kephra and behind me; the desert.
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