Camels, Cats, and Cairo: A Morning at the Pyramids
- thenuanceblogs
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
It all began at 5 a.m.—the kind of start that promises adventure, discomfort, and maybe a bit of magic. Our goal: a camel ride across the desert sands to the pyramids of Giza. Romantic? Yes. Comfortable? Not exactly.

The camels, understandably, didn’t share our enthusiasm. It was Friday, after all—maybe even their day off. Still, after some initial hesitation, the ladies in our group bravely mounted up, and I found myself partnered with the grumpiest camel of the lot, trailing at the back of the caravan.
Bound together by rope and chain, we made our way across the sand, the morning sun casting long shadows behind us. Then, a twist: one of the accompanying horse riders dismounted for a moment—and just like that, his horse bolted into the desert. In a moment of unexpected delegation, the lead was handed to a fellow tourist to guide our camel train forward. I couldn’t help but wonder: were we in safe hands, or about to become part of someone else’s story?
After dismounting, I drifted toward a cluster of desert cats—one a tiger-striped tabby, the other a regal-looking Siamese. There’s something grounding about animals in moments like this: wild, calm, unapologetically present. A brief pause. A small joy.
Pictures were taken, of course—horses, camels, cats, and everything in between—and then we returned to base, ready for breakfast. Or so we thought. Our guide, Anthony, persuaded us to postpone it and head straight to the pyramids to beat the crowds. He was right—the early light on the stones, the relative quiet—it added a certain reverence to the moment.

We visited the three grand pyramids of Giza, each a marvel of human ambition and mystery. Then came the smaller one, built for the queen—more modest, but no less meaningful. By this point, the sun had climbed high and the younger members of the group were exhausted and done. I felt a twinge of disappointment—we skipped the papyrus museum, something I had quietly looked forward to.
Still, travel teaches you this: not every story gets wrapped up neatly. Sometimes the museum visit waits for another day. Sometimes the grumpy camel gives the best view. Sometimes it’s the unplanned details—the bolting horse, the cats in the sand—that stay with you the longest.
Your Turn:
Have you ever had a travel plan go sideways—and found it better that way? Or missed something you hoped to see, only to discover something else entirely?
Share your reflections in the comments—I'd love to hear your stories.

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