Egypt
Read All Travelogues »
Egypt is still on mind II - Along the River Nile
Posted by EtherJul 17, 2008 | 514 views
|
Read 33 Comments
| Forward to a Friend
Egypt
http://ether.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/09/alexandria-charms-photo-fit-beach-city-in-egypt.htm
http://ether.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/09/egypt-saqqara-dashur-memphis.htm
http://ether.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/07/egypt-travel-is-still-on-mind-photo-blogs-abu-simbel.htm
The above is an enlarged reproduction of Kom Ombo temple Ruin Ticket to continue a colourful trip to other parts of Egypt. The photo is another angle of the same temple below.
It was a pleasant morning and we were at this place.
This abandoned temple ruin, partially in sand buried unearthed is tourist attraction, bear testimony to the rich culture of Egypt.
The image below depicts carved snake, moon… found inside the temple. Just could not rid my mind off snake around Nilkantha Shiva, the Hindu deity.
This January a chance, visit to a village in the Eastern India astounded to find similar markings by tribal worshippers in their house alter for God.
Tourists flock to the old ruin – and I hear French, (can follow a little) European guides explain as per their perceptions in tune to Bible – find it strange because the historical testimonies of Egypt is much older - the very term BC used. Or am I, mixed up?
Often scholars unable to decipher pictographic messages, lament. However, don’t we make our simple lives complicated trying to search for the abstruse?
While returning halted by a shop, selling titbits, cards… and offering internet services, run by an Egyptian youngster.
Believe me the place was so cosy and convivial almost felt as if at home.
We return to the cruise to set sail.
Sitting cross-legged our pilot is steering the ship slow and steady. He is at ease thus.
Our pilot represents a different type of naval personalities.
The kitchen of Crown Jubilee, our rounds left both parties happy and satisfied.
Amitabh fans in a line. It was astonishing to know how much these people liked him.
While sailing, this fancy boat attracted my attention and it, looks quite a bit like a huge truck swimming.
Demolished house reflects familiar design…
Arrive, the most sought zeal. The introductory hall, displays layout for the Valley of the Kings.
Taken to the site by electro shuttle cars, we reached to live the amazing mummies and tales of Pharaohs born to this planet earth.
From my schooldays, the pyramids evoked wonder, more than any others did. Rightfully the magnetism draws people like bees and butterflies seeking honey for gathers.
People come out from pyramid burrow. On knowing about the trip, our post-woman at home warned us, to not go inside the pyramid hole because many of her friends, who did, took ill and died.
The blazing heat of the Desert Mountains never deterred tourists.
Board demonstrate, Valley of the Kings.
Mentally I bow in admiration to human skills, though humble so energetic and remarkable.
Play of colours white, pink, green, and orange… sketches no mirage but painted forms.
Wrote about the same earlier, write again, care to count the number of seats they carry – four always – the prime in front is single, the first youngster in row carries a special pair of footwear.
Life is for regular people, the day to day depicts.
This temple restoration work done by the help of Poland is awesome. The widely spread monuments convey a very unique theme that is of spirituality of existence.
Graves of the pharaohs - after five-year search by Howard Carter in 1922 ordered by Lord Carnavon Tut Ankh Amon’s grave discovered.
On the east banks of Nile lies the Luxor – Temple. The Architects were Amenophis III, Ramses II, and Tutankhamen.
Simply majestic mountainous mysteries – thousands of years back, the civilisation knew what was to come. Otherwise, why this task of artistic creation has come into existence… think of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues foolishly destroyed.
This abandoned temple ruin, partially in sand buried unearthed is tourist attraction, bear testimony to the rich culture of Egypt. Current picture on left shows renovation in progress. The small picture illustrates temple as before restoration.
The image below depicts carved snake, moon… found inside the temple. Just could not rid my mind off snake around Nilkantha Shiva, the Hindu deity.
This January a chance, visit to a village in the Eastern India astounded to find similar markings by tribal worshippers in their house alter for God.Hindu mythology says Menasha (goddess of snake) had bitten Chand Saudagar’s son on the very first night of marriage. His daughter-in-law Behula set sails to get back her husbands life, and she did.
Tourists flock to the old ruin – and I hear French, (can follow a little) European guides explain as per their perceptions in tune to Bible – find it strange because the historical testimonies of Egypt is much older - the very term BC used. Or am I, mixed up? It matters less because the truth is we all relate to the same master. Apart my God, his God, her God, no one can vouch for he she they living oddly outlandish than the other fellow being. Say eating bricks to survive –sleeping like a horse…no but following the same routine like the other to live and procreate…
Often scholars unable to decipher pictographic messages, lament. However, don’t we make our simple lives complicated trying to search for the abstruse?Many of these signs were familiar to me; on ‘Kojagari Laxmi Purnima’ nights, saw them (Rangoli/Alpana) designed on floor lavishly with rice paste prepared out of overnight soaked raw rice in water, pressed on ‘masala stone’ by all women in house, draped in ritual (Garod) silk. Perhaps a bit of research and study to the custom may focus on facts. Who would care to do such, it is a costly affair. Saw much and photographed a great deal.
While returning halted by a shop, selling titbits, cards… and offering internet services, run by an Egyptian youngster. He was well educated, helpful, polite, and brilliantly charming.
This is the other side of the postcard on top left.
Perhaps the user of the computer is sending or reading important messages to catch up with business news though on a holiday, possibly a workaholic.
Believe me the place was so cosy and convivial almost felt as if at home. To imagine it was just a service shop occupying a tiny corner in the vicinity.
Even now remembering the place and the host around the temple ruin, brings a rush of warm feelings, possibly because the congenial youngster was answering all our queries, and uncertainties.
Surely, desolate place holds no charm. No location is of worth without another being. Does anyone want to live marooned?
We return to the cruise to set sail. Some more travellers join us.
They are enjoying the welcome drink inside the ship’s lobby. We plonked comfortable on lounge sofa observing.
The captain arranged a ship tour for the sake of transparency, which was of genuine interest for many.
The engine room was steep below and the kitchen very clean.
Sitting cross-legged our pilot is steering the ship slow and steady. He is at ease thus.The captain explained they learnt their profession from father to son and knew the Nile at fingertips.
Each length and breath of the river, how to navigate without wedged was the feat of these efficient people.
Our pilot represents a different type of naval personalities.
The kitchen of Crown Jubilee, our rounds left both parties happy and satisfied.The boss and his staff lined up for us to see.
The personnel treated us to cookies.
Very sensible welcome it was.
We never had time to feel bored.
The dining room of Crown Jubilee served delicious and tasty food.
The service was excellent. Our Chef was a fan of Amitabh Bacchan and that we were from Amitabh’s country they felt sentimental.
In fact, gastronomy ‘full house’ loved Omar Sheriff and Amitabh … that was the feedback.
Amitabh fans in a line. It was astonishing to know how much these people liked him.Kitchen personnel always work from behind to quench our hunger and thirst churning out dishes… not straight from the cans preserved tasteless, ‘Crown Jubilee’ served us exceptionally fresh menu from fresh ingredients.
Thought including these hardworking Egyptians in my photo narration would express thanks.
While sailing, this fancy boat attracted my attention and it, looks quite a bit like a huge truck swimming.Hope this picture is enjoyable enough. Egypt holiday was like a dream come true.
Recollecting the same wipes away my emotional blues.
With short halts on transit, took Tonga to the city and back to the waterfront, saw more temple remains of the past, took pictures of yellow wreck houses, having surfed the net at internet café, boarded back.
Demolished house reflects familiar design…Yellow structure, broad maroon borders, makes it look like many Indian tribal dwellings.
This was a very short stop on our water path to Luxor.
We saw few more ruins of temples and continued with our voyage to our intended point.
Arrive, the most sought zeal. The introductory hall, displays layout for the Valley of the Kings.The place thronged with multi-cultural visitors. Guides articulated in variety languages to variety of groups, as if chanting mantras.
Watch in awe the entire hubbub. The Karma-Candia was a kind of Karma Yoga., simply captivating atmosphere.
Taken to the site by electro shuttle cars, we reached to live the amazing mummies and tales of Pharaohs born to this planet earth.Pensive, the ruins subjected to the plunderers, could not exhaust in their richness, and sanctity.
From my schooldays, the pyramids evoked wonder, more than any others did. Rightfully the magnetism draws people like bees and butterflies seeking honey for gathers.
People come out from pyramid burrow. On knowing about the trip, our post-woman at home warned us, to not go inside the pyramid hole because many of her friends, who did, took ill and died. Yes, it was hot and smelly, additionally with trapped body odour, and sweaty smelly socks, of the visitors.
The rush into the tomb gave me claustrophobia and I felt happy with just a couple of underground visits. Inside the most airy one, sniffing at Amrutanjan, to keep my lungs free, had a gaze... My spouse took shelter under rest area and never budged in the scorching sun or dim pyramid grotto. He was happy with the external views.
The blazing heat of the Desert Mountains never deterred tourists.As if, they were but pilgrims on a sanctified mission.
Truly, there was something marvellous, extraordinarily mind-blowing, in the air.
Firmly believe that the place must have enjoyed a different weather those thousand years back. But again, current day desert (instance Dubai, Israel) development shows man too makes miracles. Long live legacy of Sorcerer P. C. Sarkar… (Not hinting at P.C.S’s magical feats linked to hereditary Egyptian Architecture… by any chance; please no misunderstandings that my thoughts stray to the great magician family of Kolkata, continuing at steal hearts…)
Board demonstrate, Valley of the Kings.Return to my husband here, after ground rounds with spirits of the pharaohs… their indomitable accomplishment.
Say goodbye to the place and go back to our next spot.
We had a complete van to ourselves though a small car would suffice.
The guide took us to an indigenous souvenir shop cum manufacturing unit, kind of cottage industry, midst sparsely populated barren expanse. The pink workshop with up to date art astounded me into a force drive, once again to the days of Ramanya pardon Ramses – Amun - Ra
Watch the ceiling fan, wall deco, lotus flowers and dexterous artisans’ in action.
They hammer, chisel, toss, turn, whip, blend, and churn to produce creative exports.
Mentally I bow in admiration to human skills, though humble so energetic and remarkable. Count our blessings that we know each life is worthy of being born.
The owner demonstrates a work procedure.
More is to come to tune us with affinity, to the past present and future spirals of life are norms.
Play of colours white, pink, green, and orange… sketches no mirage but painted forms.Men with clean-shaven head white dhoti arrested on decorative fortification, the owner’s child sits looking into the camera, motorbike in slant.
The next picture will surely perplex as to why the pallbearers are so dressed and carry a pair of sandals attached to the throne. Challenge …a flabbergasted mind.
Wrote about the same earlier, write again, care to count the number of seats they carry – four always – the prime in front is single, the first youngster in row carries a special pair of footwear. Ramayana an epic fairly tale Hinduism is a myth?
Well, do not have faith in assumptions but how about past engraved leave behind imprints? Please do forgive.
Life is for regular people, the day to day depicts. Pillars and railings, large winged bird protects, watch entrance keep guard.
The cow on the field plough land, men and their activities brand…
Celebrate life, as it is… we take leave after buying some inexpensive mementos to distribute as gifts.
The rounds close, we move towards the next stop.
Our next halt is at the temple of ‘Hatschepsut’ assumed the only queen to rule. Semicircular in appearance, built in with terrace 300 m high.
This temple restoration work done by the help of Poland is awesome. The widely spread monuments convey a very unique theme that is of spirituality of existence.God represented through deities with customary prayer offerings creating a divine atmosphere all displayed on stone with gold and other natural colours.
It surely represents a rare beyond compare cultural landscape that makes for repeating a knockout sensation.
Salvaging from the depth to surface epic is another epic occupation we may surmise. We need to remember man behind the scene, those days, and these…
Graves of the pharaohs - after five-year search by Howard Carter in 1922 ordered by Lord Carnavon Tut Ankh Amon’s grave discovered. The only one in the Valley of Kings it was untouched treasures measured to fairy tale finds... In Biban el-Mauluk Valley of the Kings, graves of Pharaohs from 18, 19, and 20 dyn discovered.
The guide told us that there are much more waiting to be unearthed.
This place looked so barren and vast; again, my husband took shelter under the shade seen in the picture on the left till I finished my climb up the stairs taking pictures.
Next, it was back to the cruise for lunch break. My spouse opted to take rest and slept in his air-conditioned cabin while I went for rounds.
Not to get late I hurried to the van, and found the guide was already waiting. A hasty hop into the bus, I hurt my head hard. Was about to cancel the trip but for the consoling words of the driver and guide. Luckily, did not bleed, but swallowed my second aspirin (throughout the entire trip) to check pain.
On the east banks of Nile lies the Luxor – Temple. The Architects were Amenophis III, Ramses II, and Tutankhamen.It is with great inquisitiveness and curiosity I examined the structures. Astonishingly the mammoth stone statues never failed to figurine the monkeys at the base of the Obelisk, as seen in the pictures.
There are depictions of birds’ animals and… but to provide a conspicuous place for the monkeys surely serve a special meaning to the messages in notice.
Preponderance there is too much demolition to sequential narration that hurts understanding leading to misleading.
Simply majestic mountainous mysteries – thousands of years back, the civilisation knew what was to come. Otherwise, why this task of artistic creation has come into existence… think of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues foolishly destroyed.Some over-zealous scholars have blame named these kings as attention seeking greedy, wanting to prove they are gods… this interpretation is pettiness known in thoughts words and mind.
Luxor Karnak there are more pictures to come, shall do in another instalment because it is time to take leave now. See you later…
© Ether
Continue…
Other Travelogues by Ether
Other Travelogues about Egypt
© 1998-2008 Copyright Sulekha.com Connecting Indians Worldwide, All Rights
Reserved.