With only a few more episodes of 'An Idiot Abroad' left, Karl set off for probably the most famous wonder of the world last night; The Great Pyramids. To date we’ve watched as Karl wrestled a Mexican maniac, got stuck in the desert on a broken down camel and ran for his life from a bull, straight into a bee hive. What more can the Mancunian take and will he ever be more than mildly impressed with what he sees on his adventure of a lifetime? (or holiday from hell according to Pilkington). Are the Seven Wonders of the World really all that wonderful?
This time Karl was faced with another trek through the desert on one of his most hated animals, the camel, as he headed to Cairo in Egypt, to immerse himself in the culture of the Egyptians, and share his insight on yet another ‘overrated’ wonder.
I have to admit that although this episode was still funnier than possibly anything I’ve seen on TV in ages, it just didn’t have the same side splitting affect on me as he previous adventures. It seems like Karl has had enough of this practical joke. Still, there’s no denying that he is utterly brilliant and his pessimism only serves as another reason to tune in every week.
Karl was as per usual open-mouthed as he arrived in his hotel room in Egypt where Basil Fawlty had apparently stayed 30 years ago. It seems that they haven’t bothered to redecorate since and they even managed to leave a nice welcome present in the shower for Karl.
So miserable were his surroundings that Karl busied himself with a stroll through the main street. We’ve all experienced it when on holidays - waiters pouncing on you one after the other. The only problem was Karl’s tendency to stop and talk to them. Having been bombarded every two seconds with people selling sunglasses and watches (Karl even ended up with a cat on his lap) the hotel room wasn’t looking so bad after all.
After a horrific night’s sleep in his roadside room, it was time for the Pyramids. "I’m supposed to get blown away by the pyramids, but instead I’m getting blown away by the wind" he observed. Perhaps a good night’s sleep and a KFC would help his mood (so that’s exactly what he did). Who knew that you would find a KFC in Egypt?
Karl then met with Ahmed, who literally taught him how to walk like an Egyptian, by diving across the road in front of traffic. Not content with nearly killing our beloved Karl, Ahmed then took Karl on a tour of an Egyptian museum. After a pointless jaunt on a Nile Cruiser, Karl seemed to want to just dive overboard and swim back to his local in the UK.
Of the pyramids Karl said "It’s like something out of planet of the apes" and after what seemed like about ten minutes or so, Karl inevitably ended up in a Pizza Hut overlooking the wonder. After one last observation that the pyramids resembled "a game of jenga that’s got out of hand" Karl was keen to leave Egypt behind.
Lacking the number of loud out loud moments of previous episodes, Karl is next week heading for 'the pylon' - that is Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
Cheer up Karl, you’re nearly there.
Sarah Carty
