Experiencing Egypt
By Anita R. Paul
Imagine a country that is as vast as a desert yet as fertile as a rain
forest. Now imagine that this country holds the secrets to an ancient
civilization long sought after and studied for its incredible contributions
to our contemporary civilization. You’re imagining Egypt. But your
imagination can’t hold a candle to the reality of actually experiencing
Egypt.
Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and Sudan to the south,
Egypt touches Israel to the east, Libya to the west, and enjoys the fertile
waterway of the Red Sea, which separates it from Saudi Arabia and
other Middle Eastern countries. Slightly larger than three times the size
of New Mexico, Egypt is a country of contrasts that I found charming,
confusing and even a bit comedic at times.
From its northern jewel city of Alexandria, into the bustling city of Cairo,
through Luxor and down to Aswan, I trekked this country in search of its
rich history and some of the best sites to visit while there.
Alexandria National Museum
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria was the center of
learning in the ancient world. And the Alexandria National Museum
continues the tradition by featuring centuries old treasures that reveal
the culture, wisdom and knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. Housed in
an elegant Italian-style mansion built in 1928, the museum beautifully
displays objects spanning the course of Egyptian history from
Pharaonic to modern times. Items from royal collections such as jewelry
and pottery, sarcophagi containing mummies, and funerary furniture are
among the objects displayed in suspended showcases, elegantly
illuminated, and set diagonally across adjacent rooms, giving visitors
the effect of being in an ancient tomb.
Al-Hurriya Street, Alexandria, Egypt
Entrance fee: Egyptians and residents LE2, foreigners LE30
Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed for Friday noon prayer
Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
Home to the world’s greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities, this
museum is a treasure trove of historical knowledge featuring over
120,000 objects. With items representing over 3,000 years of history, the
Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities follows the history of ancient
Egypt from the pre-historic era, through the Old, Middle and Modern
Kingdoms, to the Greco-Roman period. With displays of objects from
the impressive treasures of young King Tutankhamen’s tomb such as
gloves, jewelry and his famous gold headdress, visitors can see – and
sometimes touch – numerous sarcophagi, household items, throne
stools and pottery. One of the great features of the museum is its Royal
Mummy Room, where you can come face to face with some of the great
rulers of ancient Egypt.
http://www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg/
Giza Plateau
Located a short distance from Cairo, and known the world over for the
Sphinx and the three Great Pyramids that tower the arid landscape, the
Giza Plateau is actually home to several monuments. Entering the site, I
was struck by the utter enormity of the pyramids, standing in alignment
as a testament to the mathematical acumen and engineering skill of the
ancient Egyptians who constructed the edifices on a limestone cliff to
the west, which they called imentet, or “the necropolis”. The pyramids –
one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing – are
definitely a site to behold, particularly when one is mindful that even
today’s most keen architectural minds continue to debate the means
and methods of how the ancient peoples constructed these edifices.
The Great Sphinx, with its human head – believed by some to be that of
King Khafre and by others to be King Khufu (builder of the Great
Pyramid) – atop a lion’s body, sits royally at a distance from the
pyramids, gazing into the distance, is definitely the greatest of Egypt’s
many sphinxes.
Sakkara
The site of the oldest of Egypt’s 97 known pyramids, Sakkara is one
section of the great necropolis of Memphis, the 5,000-year old capital of
Pharaonic Egypt. Its Step Pyramid represents the ancient Egyptians’
early attempts at temple building in which six increasingly smaller
mastabas are stacked on top of each other – a style that changed
dramatically with the Egyptians’ enhanced knowledge of mathematics,
engineering and construction. The site of the Step Pyramid includes a
grand funerary complex with impressive columns, several chambers
and statues. While in Sakkara, visit one of the many carpet schools,
where a dying art is seeing a revival, and the younger generation is
discovering the craft of weaving elaborate carpets of cotton, wool and
silk.
Nile River
A major source of life since early settlers moved to its valley in 5,000 BC,
the Nile River is the longest river in the world, spanning 4,132 miles in
length with a 1,107,000 square-mile basin. Cruising the Nile on a small
river boat is arguably one of the best ways to experience this age-old
waterway, affording a glimpse into the slow, easy lifestyle of several
villages along the river, which flows south to north. Must-see stops
along the fertile river include Edfu Temple dedicated to the falcon god
Horus; Dendera, a city just north of Luxor that boasts the temple of
goddess Hathor; and Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek
and the falcon god Horus, each temple holding a wealth of beauty and
mystery all its own.
Luxor
Billed as the world’s greatest open-air museum, the city of Luxor spans
the East and West Banks of the Nile River. On the East Bank sits the
modern town of Luxor, featuring Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. It is
amazing to see the locals living right in the midst of such incredible
ruins, and concurrently functioning with all of the contemporary luxuries
of the 21st Century, with 5-star hotels, Internet cafes, small boutiques
and restaurants. The West Bank is the domain of the deceased, and it
is dominated by mortuary temples and hundreds of tombs, most
notable the Valley of the Queens, the Valley of the Kings and the
Colossie of Memnon. While in Luxor, don’t miss the opportunity to take a
hot air balloon ride over the Nile River Valley and enjoy an aerial view of
the river and the villages that inhabit the surrounding area.
Karnak Temple
This enormous structure should not be missed if you plan to venture as
far south as the city of Luxor. A complex of three main temples, smaller
enclosed temples, and several outer temples, Karnak is the largest
temple complex in the world, with a huge courtyard area and an avenue
of ram-headed sphinxes that greet visitors as they enter the massive
forecourt. Ancient hieroglyphics grace the stone walls of the temple
depicting scenes that tell stories of life in ancient Egypt. Two impressive
obelisks stand at the entrance to the sanctuary. If given the chance, take
the time to view the ongoing excavation – the tedious process is
amazing, and offers a glimpse at the painstaking process of uncovering
these and other ancient ruins.
Aswan
The city of Aswan is like taking a walk back in time to an ancient frontier
town with horse-drawn carriages slowly rolling through the main
thoroughfare. But as the motor cars whiz by the many beautiful gardens
(parks) that offer a view of the Nile, you are made aware that this Nubian
village is more modern than it first appears. The city lies on the East
Bank of the Nile and features a cross section of African peoples from
Lower Egypt (the North), Upper Egypt (the south) and Sudan, most
notably the Nubian people. The Nubian Museum, dedicated to this
culture of southern Egypt, houses an impressive collection of artifacts
and displays the early life of the Nubians, describing in detail how their
culture flourished and has survived to this day as a unique culture with
its own traditions and links to the Sudanese and middle Egyptian
populations. Be sure to visit the Aswan Market for an assortment of
items unique to the area: jewelry, leather goods, musical instruments,
woven rugs, colorful scarves, and most impressive the spices that the
area is known for – saffron, cumin, coriander, curry and many more. Be
ready to bargain because the shop owners expect it, and thrive on the
art of the deal. Also, visit one of the papyrus institutes sprinkled along
the main street for a demonstration of how this unique paper is created.
From north to south, Egypt has a wealth of jewels to be explored. And
the mystique of this ancient yet contemporary country is enough to bring
you back again and again.
Anita R. Paul is a marketing consultant and a freelance travel and
business writer. She recently completed her first novel, What Goes
Around Comes Around. She can be reached at www.thewriteimage.net.
By Anita R. Paul
Imagine a country that is as vast as a desert yet as fertile as a rain
forest. Now imagine that this country holds the secrets to an ancient
civilization long sought after and studied for its incredible contributions
to our contemporary civilization. You’re imagining Egypt. But your
imagination can’t hold a candle to the reality of actually experiencing
Egypt.
Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and Sudan to the south,
Egypt touches Israel to the east, Libya to the west, and enjoys the fertile
waterway of the Red Sea, which separates it from Saudi Arabia and
other Middle Eastern countries. Slightly larger than three times the size
of New Mexico, Egypt is a country of contrasts that I found charming,
confusing and even a bit comedic at times.
From its northern jewel city of Alexandria, into the bustling city of Cairo,
through Luxor and down to Aswan, I trekked this country in search of its
rich history and some of the best sites to visit while there.
Alexandria National Museum
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria was the center of
learning in the ancient world. And the Alexandria National Museum
continues the tradition by featuring centuries old treasures that reveal
the culture, wisdom and knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. Housed in
an elegant Italian-style mansion built in 1928, the museum beautifully
displays objects spanning the course of Egyptian history from
Pharaonic to modern times. Items from royal collections such as jewelry
and pottery, sarcophagi containing mummies, and funerary furniture are
among the objects displayed in suspended showcases, elegantly
illuminated, and set diagonally across adjacent rooms, giving visitors
the effect of being in an ancient tomb.
Al-Hurriya Street, Alexandria, Egypt
Entrance fee: Egyptians and residents LE2, foreigners LE30
Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed for Friday noon prayer
Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
Home to the world’s greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities, this
museum is a treasure trove of historical knowledge featuring over
120,000 objects. With items representing over 3,000 years of history, the
Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities follows the history of ancient
Egypt from the pre-historic era, through the Old, Middle and Modern
Kingdoms, to the Greco-Roman period. With displays of objects from
the impressive treasures of young King Tutankhamen’s tomb such as
gloves, jewelry and his famous gold headdress, visitors can see – and
sometimes touch – numerous sarcophagi, household items, throne
stools and pottery. One of the great features of the museum is its Royal
Mummy Room, where you can come face to face with some of the great
rulers of ancient Egypt.
http://www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg/
Giza Plateau
Located a short distance from Cairo, and known the world over for the
Sphinx and the three Great Pyramids that tower the arid landscape, the
Giza Plateau is actually home to several monuments. Entering the site, I
was struck by the utter enormity of the pyramids, standing in alignment
as a testament to the mathematical acumen and engineering skill of the
ancient Egyptians who constructed the edifices on a limestone cliff to
the west, which they called imentet, or “the necropolis”. The pyramids –
one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing – are
definitely a site to behold, particularly when one is mindful that even
today’s most keen architectural minds continue to debate the means
and methods of how the ancient peoples constructed these edifices.
The Great Sphinx, with its human head – believed by some to be that of
King Khafre and by others to be King Khufu (builder of the Great
Pyramid) – atop a lion’s body, sits royally at a distance from the
pyramids, gazing into the distance, is definitely the greatest of Egypt’s
many sphinxes.
Sakkara
The site of the oldest of Egypt’s 97 known pyramids, Sakkara is one
section of the great necropolis of Memphis, the 5,000-year old capital of
Pharaonic Egypt. Its Step Pyramid represents the ancient Egyptians’
early attempts at temple building in which six increasingly smaller
mastabas are stacked on top of each other – a style that changed
dramatically with the Egyptians’ enhanced knowledge of mathematics,
engineering and construction. The site of the Step Pyramid includes a
grand funerary complex with impressive columns, several chambers
and statues. While in Sakkara, visit one of the many carpet schools,
where a dying art is seeing a revival, and the younger generation is
discovering the craft of weaving elaborate carpets of cotton, wool and
silk.
Nile River
A major source of life since early settlers moved to its valley in 5,000 BC,
the Nile River is the longest river in the world, spanning 4,132 miles in
length with a 1,107,000 square-mile basin. Cruising the Nile on a small
river boat is arguably one of the best ways to experience this age-old
waterway, affording a glimpse into the slow, easy lifestyle of several
villages along the river, which flows south to north. Must-see stops
along the fertile river include Edfu Temple dedicated to the falcon god
Horus; Dendera, a city just north of Luxor that boasts the temple of
goddess Hathor; and Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek
and the falcon god Horus, each temple holding a wealth of beauty and
mystery all its own.
Luxor
Billed as the world’s greatest open-air museum, the city of Luxor spans
the East and West Banks of the Nile River. On the East Bank sits the
modern town of Luxor, featuring Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. It is
amazing to see the locals living right in the midst of such incredible
ruins, and concurrently functioning with all of the contemporary luxuries
of the 21st Century, with 5-star hotels, Internet cafes, small boutiques
and restaurants. The West Bank is the domain of the deceased, and it
is dominated by mortuary temples and hundreds of tombs, most
notable the Valley of the Queens, the Valley of the Kings and the
Colossie of Memnon. While in Luxor, don’t miss the opportunity to take a
hot air balloon ride over the Nile River Valley and enjoy an aerial view of
the river and the villages that inhabit the surrounding area.
Karnak Temple
This enormous structure should not be missed if you plan to venture as
far south as the city of Luxor. A complex of three main temples, smaller
enclosed temples, and several outer temples, Karnak is the largest
temple complex in the world, with a huge courtyard area and an avenue
of ram-headed sphinxes that greet visitors as they enter the massive
forecourt. Ancient hieroglyphics grace the stone walls of the temple
depicting scenes that tell stories of life in ancient Egypt. Two impressive
obelisks stand at the entrance to the sanctuary. If given the chance, take
the time to view the ongoing excavation – the tedious process is
amazing, and offers a glimpse at the painstaking process of uncovering
these and other ancient ruins.
Aswan
The city of Aswan is like taking a walk back in time to an ancient frontier
town with horse-drawn carriages slowly rolling through the main
thoroughfare. But as the motor cars whiz by the many beautiful gardens
(parks) that offer a view of the Nile, you are made aware that this Nubian
village is more modern than it first appears. The city lies on the East
Bank of the Nile and features a cross section of African peoples from
Lower Egypt (the North), Upper Egypt (the south) and Sudan, most
notably the Nubian people. The Nubian Museum, dedicated to this
culture of southern Egypt, houses an impressive collection of artifacts
and displays the early life of the Nubians, describing in detail how their
culture flourished and has survived to this day as a unique culture with
its own traditions and links to the Sudanese and middle Egyptian
populations. Be sure to visit the Aswan Market for an assortment of
items unique to the area: jewelry, leather goods, musical instruments,
woven rugs, colorful scarves, and most impressive the spices that the
area is known for – saffron, cumin, coriander, curry and many more. Be
ready to bargain because the shop owners expect it, and thrive on the
art of the deal. Also, visit one of the papyrus institutes sprinkled along
the main street for a demonstration of how this unique paper is created.
From north to south, Egypt has a wealth of jewels to be explored. And
the mystique of this ancient yet contemporary country is enough to bring
you back again and again.
Anita R. Paul is a marketing consultant and a freelance travel and
business writer. She recently completed her first novel, What Goes
Around Comes Around. She can be reached at www.thewriteimage.net.
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