Climbing the Egyptian Pyramids

Photos via Photo via Gawker: http://gaw.kr/14syOOD Photos  by a small group of Russian photographers who climbed the pyramids in Giza, Egypt and took these amazing photos.

Egypt is an amazing place, full of history and mysterious secrets to the past, such as the phenomenal pyramids. It is a lifelong dream for many travelers and explorers to investigate the pyramids, feeling the past come to life among the dusty landscapes, just beyond Cairo’s city lights.

Such was the case for Vadim Makhorov and Vitaliy Raskalov, two photographers among a group of Russians who climbed the pyramids and took breathtaking shots from the top of the pyramid. The fact they climbed the pyramids to take the shots, was the subject of much controversy in Egypt since they had disregarded regulations that those visiting the pyramids are strictly forbidden from climbing the pyramids. The photos also quickly went viral on the Internet due to breathtaking scenes of a landscape few could ever forget.

The controversy surrounded the pictures, who many said were illegal to release to the public, especially for free, since the group had climbed the pyramids illegally and felt they should be subject to Egyptian law, which could have included a hefty fine or possible jail time. Many on social network boards such as Twitter and CNN sited this was especially true since they waited until they were outside the view of the pyramid guards, and climbed the pyramids without being noticed. Others felt the crew did nothing wrong and should not be subject to punishment.

In response to  illegally climbing the pyramids Vadim Makhorov formally apologized in an email to CNN. Following is an exerpt of that letter.

In an email to CNN, Makhorov now explains his reasons for flouting the regulations, and issues an apology to Egypt and the world.

Vadim Makhorov’s email to CNN

“I’ve always been drawn to Egypt. For as long as I can remember my dream was to get to the top of the Great Pyramid of Giza. When my friends and I arrived in Cairo the first thing we decided to do was to go and see the pyramids. We got there in the evening, just in time to witness the laser show. No words can express the fascination I felt when seeing my childhood dream come alive. Probably this very feeling made us climb onto the top of the Pyramid and see the the panorama of the whole complex, the desert and Cairo itself.

It took us around 20 minutes to get to the top. We were taken breathless by the view.  What we saw from up there was the seventh wonder of the world. We tried to capture the beauty of the scenery in the photos, so that the others could also see this magnificent panorama. That’s why I would like to apologize for this ascension. We didn’t want to insult anyone. We were just following the dream.”

The Issues

On one hand I feel I need to caution you that climbing the pyramids is prohibited and visitors to the pyramids should keep in mind there are fines and fees that can be applied to those who disregard this regulation.

At the same time I am breathless and thankful that I too was able to climb the pyramids and sit among the souls of old, feel time stand still, and feel a oneness with the past, so distant, yet so real.  I am thankful that for one moment in time, though reckless and irresponsible to some, spontaneous and adventurous to others, that two photographers in their exuberance of youth quickly climbed the pyramids, snapped the shots, and allowed the rest of us to take the journey with them. We were able, through pictures, to be fascinated, and have an awesomely unforgettable experience with them.

The experience, however, is not the issue. The issue also, as I see it, is not about the group climbing the pyramids illegally. Guards have routinely looked the way as visitors traveled through restricted areas, especially given a bit of extra side cash. And as Makhorov explained to CNN, once on top of the pyramid there were carvings of many languages, written undoubtedly by those who had climbed the pyramids before his group.

The issue is the massive loss of tourism dollars in recent years due to Egypt’s continued political turmoil and lack of security that resulted in a massive loss of income for pyramid vendors, as well as Egypt’s tourism industry as a whole. Many vendors feed their families by offering to provide pictures to those visiting the pyramids, or by selling gifts to foreign travelers. Because the Russians took the pictures on their own, without approval, and without making sure the vendors had a bit of side cash, the controversy developed.

But, the vendor view is only one side to this story. There is another side the vendors and Egypt as a whole should be looking at. Although they may not be completely pleased that the Russians violated regulations at the pyramids, they should be at least thankful to the Russians for visiting Egypt and proving to the world these awesome tourism experiences are still possible, even in the midst of transitional political times.

The Russians not only provided timeless landscapes of wonder to the world, but also allowed the world to see a piece of  Egypt, for at least that moment in time, that stood outside the turmoil, void of the problems. The world saw the breathless beauty of Egypt, whose historical relevance and powerful draw  lives on. For that, Egypt should be thankful and hopeful that what the Russians did will have an impact, and a following, resulting in increased tourism dollars and in due time financial recovery for Egypt. It is worth believing that the sun will continue to set and rise just beyond the pyramids. If the pyramids represent anything to the world it is that as they have survived, as a testament of a strong and able people. Egypt too will survive, weathering any storm.

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