LUXOR, EGYPT—IMPRESSIONS (PART 2)

          ∙ Our tour today (4/5/12) began earlier than I would like (at 7 a.m.), but this proved to be beneficial since there was so much to see.  It also helped to beat the crowds and minimize the heat, to the extent possible anyway.  (And it still beat that 5:45 a.m. start to see the Taj!)
          ∙ We started the day with a return to Karnak Temple, so we could explore the complex by daylight.  An avenue of ram-headed sphinxes leads to the temple’s entrance.  From there, one finds Hypostyle Hall and its 134 enormous columns.  The complex also features the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, the Temple of Amen-Re and the Sacred Lake.


          ∙ Next, we boarded a ferry boat to cross the Nile River.  In a mountainous region on the West bank, we found The Valley of the Kings (the “city of the dead”).  At least 63 tombs have been discovered to date, and excavations continue.  To protect the mineral and stone dyes used to create the elaborate works of art within the tombs, they wouldn’t allow cameras there.  We entered three of these incredible tombs where Egypt’s Pharaohs were entombed for nearly 3,000 years.  Their queens were laid to rest in an adjacent valley.  It started getting hot out, too.
          ∙ Apparently, no day on this trip could be complete without a stop for shopping – so we shopped for onyx and other stone products at a local shop.   (I am told these tour guides receive cash or other perquisites for bringing their clients to these shops.)
          ∙ From there, we went to the Temple of Hatshepsut, where 59 tourists were massacred in 1997.  Bill was glad I didn’t tell him until after we left.  The heat picked up yet another notch, though, so I gave up walking to look for shade at one point!


          ∙ We stopped quickly at the Colossi of Memnon – two X 64-foot statues of Amenhotep III, which once guarded the entrance to Amenhotep’s great temple.  These twin statues are all that remains of the temple.
 
          ∙ We returned across the Nile River, back to the East Bank, and stopped for lunch at a local restaurant where we ran into several other people from our ship.  The food was good!


          ∙ Finally, we visited Luxor Temple and the Avenue of the Human-Headed Sphinxes, which once connected Luxor to Karnak.


∙ THOUGHTS/IMPRESSIONS
          ∙ Luxor was spectacular! Having a great group of people to experience this with made it that much more fun!
          ∙ The Egyptians we met and spoke with – including our guide (Abdul) -- had a great sense of humor.  He spoke about the freedoms they now enjoy after the “revolution” last spring (e.g., to speak freely, to enjoy life without baseless arrest).  Yet, they believe Mubarak and his supporters still have an influence here and continue to hatch schemes to quell their quest for such freedoms.  Gasoline is plentiful, but being purposely withheld from stations, to frustrate and immobilize them.  Gasoline lines, therefore, stretch for blocks.
          ∙ I saw many more men on the streets than women.  They seldom failed to make eye contact or to say something, usually in a friendly (even flirtatious) manner.  Their charm is not subtle.  They blurt out flattery, ask questions (“what is your name?” “where are you from”? ).  Two even said that they wanted to marry me (jokingly, I think/hope).  Many sell in an harassing manner, but they were a friendly bunch, nonetheless.  Very friendly …

OTHER SIGHTS FROM LUXOR