The New York Times:

You’re probably familiar with those sweeping, romantic shots of the pyramids of Giza. In photos, movies and textbooks, there’s sand as far as the eye can see — and maybe a figure in the distance obscured by haze. It must surely take a train or a bus to get there. At least a camel ride.

Well, for those who have never visited the Pharaonic structures or thought about what may surround them, this might come as a surprise: The pyramids are flanked on three sides by the roads and neighborhoods of Giza, a major city with a population in the millions.

The same goes for the Great Sphinx. A mere quarter-mile or so away sits a Pizza Hut with expansive views of the historic site.

This story is funny/sad. I’ve been to the places described and they really can be disappointing if you’re expecting something much grander. It may no longer be there but when I was at the Great Sphinx ten years ago, there was a “Sphinx Guest House” a literal stone’s throw away. It was really jarring.