We had taken the night train from Luxor, traveling this time in more comfortable sleeping cars. In these, there are no unexpected knocks on the door in the middle of the night, with offers of more comfort for just a few pounds more. Through the window, lights and the brief scenes on small station platforms flash by. Sometimes you can get a momentary glimpse of people huddled on dim platforms, and dare imagine what destination they will end up, in the darkness of the Egyptian night.

The train pulled into Cairo very early and even then our friend Hussein Fahmy of the Egyptian sport federations was there to greet us with his car. It was just after 6 and he was eager to take care of this very small World Harmony Run team. He took us to one place for breakfast and then to another, well known Café, for tea. We talked much and I think, smiled much more. Our time in Egypt now was swiftly slipping away, and I confessed to not having had the chance to visit the pyramids. Instantly he was on the phone and arranging for us to go there.

On the way, we picked up his colleague and public relations officer for the Egyptian sport federation Mohsen Mahboub. Once we were all collected, it was a swift drive on a quiet traffic day across Cairo to Ghiza and the pyramids.

As you approach from a distance, at first you get just a dim impression of them, rising dramatically up from the arid plains of Ghiza. This is, because the air here is often hazy in March. But even before your eyes can fully take in their magnificence you can feel your senses experience something from them in a subtle way.

I believe for most visitors, they have a way of reaching out and touching your heart. Of course your mind attempts to comprehend either the wonder of their engineering or grasp the staggering legacy of their antiquity. To most minds they remain however unfathomable mysteries and yet, they have a way of weaving their magic in and through visitors who stand in their presence.

Who can say today what their builders imagined them to represent, beyond being the tombs of Pharoahs. To my experience they represent both an inner dream of goodness and astounding outer reality of greatness. When the heart listens to the pyramids it hears the song of the creator rising up to heaven and within the heights of man’s heart. When the mind sees the pyramids it sees the greatness of creation and the lofty possibility of man’s potential. Whatever the secrets of their existence, it is easy to understand why for millennium people have trekked from across the planet to gather and marvel here, they are truly a wonder of the world.

We were greeted there, by a guide, arranged for by Mr.Fahmy. It was on the plateau of Ghiza with the pyramids looming in the background that we got a chance to interview him for a documentary. On a silent hill close by with the pyramids in the distance he shared with us his thoughts of World Harmony. Below us were hundreds of visitors from who knows how many nations. His words about peace felt deep and significant in such an auspicious setting with a small world community gathered below.

Later our guide took us to the foot of the largest pyramid Cheops. He wanted us not just to see it but more importantly to go inside. He brought us to an entrance and as we began our long climb he spoke for a while about many details as we worked our way up the sometimes narrow and awkward incline. Near the final climb he stopped and motioned us forward on our own. Visitors are encouraged to remain silent when entering the final chamber deep within. I would say it was obvious. There really is a wonderful and peaceful experience to be had there.

Later we held a spontaneous World Harmony run around the pyramid grounds. By the Sphinx, we met visiting Egyptian children and they happily joined in. Tourists from many countries came to us to hold and listen to a story of why 3 guys from Europe and Canada had showed up at the pyramids with a torch. It was a spontaneous and wonderful experience, and one in which I shall not soon forget.

In the early evening Mr Fahmy and Mr. Mahboub took us to the airport, so we might commence our next series of adventures in another Country of North Africa. They came with us, as far as they could go, and waited to make sure all went well. Many things in this world are incomprehensible besides the wonders of Egypt. In life however the heart can recognize and embrace a bond built instantly between new friends. In this kind of experience one can only hope and dream the world will one day be like this, in its beautiful entirety.

Team Members:
Utpal Marshall (Canada), Mario Komak and Rasto Ulicny (Slovakia)

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