Most people think that the Great Pyramids of Egypt are off in the middle of the desert somewhere. I certainly did. It was no small surprise to reach the outskirts of Greater Cairo only to discover that the Pyramids were visible from miles away. They're big. Really big.
It was a larger surprise, if you'll pardon the pun, to discover that our hotel was right across the street from the Cheops pyramid. No joke. In fact, there's a golf course at the base of the hill on which the pyramids stand. If you want to play 18 holes -- and need to rent clubs -- it will cost you $17. That's around 55-60 Egyptian pounds. (Of course we had to check that out.)
The hotel used to be the palace of the last Turkish king of Egypt. I should probably put in some links to more historical information here. Maybe later. After the Turks left, it became a government office. Now it's a hotel, and half of the rooms have an incredible view from the balcony. In fact, that's where this photo was taken.
I should point out that if you're ever taking photos of any of the Ancient or Modern Wonders of the World, it's a good idea to use a tripod or a balcony to steady your camera. It's not a good idea to use a book, especially if you can't easily retrieve it from the balcony directly below yours. Since I only know a few Arabic words, it was hard for me to communicate "I have dropped my copy of Future Shock from my balcony and would like to retrieve it." Apparently it's difficult to communicate even if you do know Arabic.
All helpful advice aside, rest assured that, while the Pyramids are definitely in the desert, they're not in the middle of nowhere. You can get a good meal within walking distance.