Welcome, welcome to Egypt!
I am so excited to post these pictures - and yet they do this place a great injustice. It is hard to give detail, you know, of the places you go when there are so many, but here is Egypt for me in one very-packed word (it was the first that came to mind):
Ironic.
The antiquities of Egypt are so grand and abundant. We saw over nine pyramids, a valley full of royal, gold-glinted tombs, and too many temples to fully comprehend. Being at the feet of these remains conveyed the incredible the wealth and intelligence of the ancient Egyptians, and yet today Egypt is a third-world country. The poverty was surprising and saddening. For instance the Nile today, the lifeblood of Egypt (if it hadn't have flooded the Pyramids would have never been built) is filled with garbage - soda bottles, boxes, and crates - all of it. It is still a little overwhelming to think about the clash of this country's magnificence and deprivation...
I'll finish this chain of thoughts with gratitude for my home, my life, and my Heavenly Father's knowledge and control of all things past, present, and future.
There she is, the Great Khufu and her tourists, in all of her glory
When I thought of Egyptian pyramids before going, I pictured a scene like this: three pyramids, one is huge, and a super big sphinx. I was wrong on a few of those fronts, especially concerning the Sphinx. He's not too big, but he is one of my favorite antiquities
The line to enter Menkaure - one of two pyramids we got to go inside of
The descent!
We only have a little fun together, these friends of mine and me
I loved the Sphinx
I got my kiss!
Excavation sight N33, just outside of Queen Hatshepsut's Temple - this is most likely where the scrolls containing the book of Abraham were found
Funerary Temple of Ramses II - he is most likely the pharaoh of the Exodus - somewhat of a stubborn guy
Huge statues such as this are found at nearly every temple - this is another one of Ramses II
Illegal pic number two: that is the very tomb of King Tut! I am especially loving this pic now because we didn't get to see the artifacts in the Cairo Museum
Queen Hapshetsut's obelisk - it has been preserved so well because her hater step-son, Tutmoses III, reigned after her and didn't want any memory of her around. He built a huge wall around this thing, and today we see it as it is. Funny, huh?
Lauren, Kels, Denise, me, and Heidi at the Karnak temple
Love these girls
Queen Hatshepsut's Temple. Please note that sign in front of the "tree"
This pic does not do justice for the painted hieroglyphs...they were so detailed and beautiful
Just enjoying the sunset on a falukah on the Nile - no big deal
Sweetest, funnest boys ever
One of my favorite Egyptian souvs: the t-shirt dress
Last illegal pic: this one was from one of the temples in the Valle of the Kings. Again, it isn't very good, but can you see the pattern on these guys' skirts that was given attention to? So so neat.
Egypt was amazing. I am grateful beyond words that we were able to go. Had the current riots there started a single day earlier, the entire trip would have been canceled. Ahh thinking about that hurts! I don't think I'll ever go back there, especially with what's going on now. Tender mercies, eh? This girl is a very blessed, very happy one.
Stay tuned for Egypt round two!
Cool post. Make your pics big. When you are doing your post, upload your pics, then right click on the picture and it will give you the option to make it bigger if you want!
ReplyDeleteAlso - quit using your iTouch only! Those pics look good on a tiny screen but aren't so hot when you print them or make them bigger.
Love ya!