Ramesses II Visiting Paris

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

You don’t have to be alive when you visit Paris – but you have to be a pharaoh, and not just any pharaoh – but Ramesses the Great

Regarded as the most powerful pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, he ruled for more than sixty years (1279 BC –  1213 BC) and is believed to have died when he was 90 or 91 years old. During his long life he aspired to become a god as well as one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs. He built many temples in his honour – one of the most impressive is  ABU SIMBEL.

                            

From the time of his death to the time he visited Paris more than 3000 years had passed. Egyptologist had noticed in 1974 the rapidly deteriorating condition of his mummy and decided to send him to Paris for further examination. Like any other tourist, he needed the proper travelling papers. He was issued an Egyptian passport on which his occupation was listed as”King(deceased).”  Arriving at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, he was received with full military honours, on a red carpet, like any other visiting head of state.

After careful examination by French experts it was discovered that his mummy was being attacked by a fungus. When he had been treated for it, Ramesses II returned to Cairo, where he now rests in the Mummy Room in the Cairo Museum. 

Picture from Wikipedia - (it is not allowed to take photos in the Museum)

It is not allowed to take photos in the Cairo Museum – this photo is from WIKIPEDIA

After his long life and the difficulties in his afterlife, it is amazing to see that he still has some of his teeth and his remaining hair tells us that he had red hair.

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 Nine more pharaohs took the name Ramesses in his honour, but none equalled his greatness.

More from Egypt soon

                                              Brigitte

Posted in Cairo, Egypt, Pharaohs, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

PHOTO OF THE WEEK – A HAPPY COUPLE

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

This happy looking couple sits in the Temple of Karnak, between the first two columns on the left. Egyptologists believe that it is Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhsenpaaten, but they are not sure!

While the world speculates who they really are, they live happily every after.

More from Egypt soon

                               Brigitte

Posted in Egypt, Luxor, Tourism, Travel, Tutankhamun | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

EGYPT – WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO VISIT?

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

As I found out during my second trip to Egypt in March of this year, courage can have big rewards. Most of my friends and family tried to discourage me from going because they felt it was too dangerous, but I was not afraid.

I had been there in November 2010, when, besides me, over 12 million tourists had visited Egypt that year. There was no getting away from them. They were lots and lots of people everywhere. It made sightseeing, like visiting the Temple of Karnak and trying to see the decorations on the columns, rather difficult. You had to look over someone’s shoulder!

                                          

The day we were there, it was around 4.30 pm near closing time, there were so many people, that I had the impression a subway train from New York had arrived and unloaded all its passengers to walk between the famous columns.

During my second visit it was just the opposite – there were hardly any tourists anywhere. On this picture, taken at the Temple of Karnak this year, you can see a few tourists drifting around, but no crowds.

                                 

So if you don’t like travelling with lots and lots of  people, and  you would like to visit Egypt, don’t wait until all the tourists are back – and they will be one day – be brave and go soon.

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 Wisdom can be found in the most unexpected places – while waiting to board the plane in Luxor, I was sitting next to a  couple in their late 70s. When I heard them speak German I turned around and said, (in German)  “So you were not afraid to come to Egypt either?”

” Not at all,” the wife answered, “I said to my husband let’s go now. The prices are low, there are no tourists, and if something happens to us – well, since we have to die anyway one day, why not in Egypt.”

More from Egypt soon

                                     Brigitte

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK – SHOPPING FOR MEAT

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

Passing through a small village on our way to the Step Pyramid at Saqqara- (the first Pyramid ever build, circa 2630 BC, by Djoser) we stopped at this butcher shop.

I was wondering shy the dead animal was strung up outside the shop. Had it just been killed? Not so. I found out that the butcher never cuts off any meat before his customer, the woman who cooks the meat, tells him exactly which piece she wants – and she does not have to worry about Pink Slime – everything is organic here!

More from Egypt soon

Brigitte

Posted in Egypt, Food, Tourism, Travel, Valley of the Kings | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

CAIRO – PHOTO OF THE WEEK –

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

SHOPPING FOR SPICES

                          

This is the famous Khan El-Khalili Bazaar – it is not just a place for the tourists to shop- as you can see the locals come here too!

                                        

More from Egypt soon

                                             Brigitte

Posted in Cairo, Egypt, Food, Islam, Muslims, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

HEAVEN – WHERE IS IT?

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

 Bryan Adams in his song  ‘Thought I’d died and gone to Heaven’  is referring to a woman. But heaven can also be a place – and I found that place when I arrived at the Winter Palace in Luxor.

This Hotel was built-in 1886 on the banks of the Nile, in walking distance from the Luxor Temple. Its patrons were royalties and celebrities throughout the years. Today it is featured as one of the Palace Hotels of the world.

We arrived early afternoon. I had asked for a room, facing the Corniche and the Nile – but there was much more, and opening my window this is what I saw.

The Corniche, the Nile and beyond – the Valley of the Kings – looking peaceful and serene, hiding its treasures which were buried there thousands of years ago. Visiting Luxor is a special experience at any time. but sitting on the terrace with a glass of wine and taking in the wonder in front of me – – well,  I really Thought I’d had died and gone to Heaven.

The hotel’s old world charm is well illustrated in these pictures, and  NO they have not been enhanced. It really looks like this today

But if you want to get away from the old world charm, there are beautiful, tropical  gardens in the back of the hotel. – with a large swimming pool and two restaurants. The Palmetto serving Italian food, and the Tarbouche where you can eat Oriental treats

And when it became dark the view had not lost its magic. The water of the Nile reflected the light of the boats anchored on its banks, and the Valley of the Kings, bathed in a soft glow, looked mysterious and secretive.

Nobody knows what Heaven looks like, but if I can have a guess, the Winter Palace and Luxor must be part of it.

 More from Egypt soon

                          Brigitte                               

 

 

Posted in Egypt, Luxor, Luxor. Valley of the Kings, Pharaohs, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

GIZA PLATEAU – TOMBS OF THE PYRAMID BUILDERS

Posted on June 10, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

The burial places of the Pharaoh’s  –  the pyramids and the tombs in the Valley of the Kings –  have dazzled the world since their discovery. But where are ordinary people buried and how? People like the workers who helped build the pyramids?

No, they were not slaves, but farmers. They came to work on the Pyramids  during the inundation period when the Nile flooded their land.  Craftsmen, stone cutters, overseers, and other supportive staff lived near the Pyramids all year around.

Today archaeologists are discovering the  village where they lived. It is less than a 1000 feet south of the Great Sphinx. Higher up on the slopes a cemetery area with 300 burial places was found. Some are small-scale copies of royal tombs, or stone mastabas built for the craftsmen and support staff, and then there are the graves of the workers.

I was lucky to be visiting when several new tombs had just been found, and we could see them.

This grave was a small, rectangular space about five feet deep. It was a tomb of a workman. His worldly possessions to accompany him into the afterlife are sparse, a few jars and a few tools.

Our tour guide, Aki, a scholar of ancient Egyptian history, took a jar out of the grave and explained that it was  over 4000 years old  —  and while pointing it towards me asked. “Would you like to hold it?” I was tempted, but I said no.  I was terrified of dropping  it and robbing this man of the little he had for his afterlife.

More from Egypt soon

Brigitte

Posted in Egypt, Islam, Luxor. Valley of the Kings, Pharaohs, Tourism, Travel, Valley of the Kings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 146 Comments

TOMB PAINTINGS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

“Come I want to show you something,” Abdul said while we got out of the car. Walking up the hill towards a pile of stones that must have been a  house a long time ago, I was wondering what there was to see.

  When we came closer I saw a motorcycle and a man  sitting not far away – a sign of life.

 

—  and turning the corner, a tall man in a white long gown came to greet us. Embracing Abdul warmly, as is the custom in Egypt when two men meet, he told me that he and Abdul are friends for many years, and that I could not have a better guide, which I confirmed enthusiastically.

 

 His name is Ahmed Abdelfatha he is a famous sculptor, and this  broken down little house is his studio. I was glad that he spoke quite good English and could explain what he did and how he got his inspirations. “I visit the Royal Tombs of the Pharaoh’s and take photos of the wall paintings. These paintings, which are well-preserved for thousands of years, due to Egypt’s extreme dry climate show the activities of the deceased during his lifetime and what he wishes to do in the afterlife.  Then I carve these stories on limestone. “

 

 In the small studio, the only room which is left of this house, were about 30 to 40 pieces of his art. Some were as large as two feet, but most of them were of medium size, in rectangle, square, oval, or round shapes, depending on the scene it depicted. Few were coloured, most of them were monotone.

It was near the end of my trip and my need to buy anything had vanished, but standing in front of these beautiful sculptors bringing back Ancient Egypt, my need to buy came back in full force. It took me a long time to decide. I wanted them all, but had to moderate myself to one. I changed my mind several time, and finally decided on this one. (11″ x 9″)

 

“How long did it take you to make this?”

“30 hours” he replied, and all he asked me for was $30. In hindsight I should have bought more. But now that I know where he is I can do that on my next trip.

I don’t know how others find Ahmed and his studio, because there is no sign anywhere advertising these treasures.  Maybe when you are famous enough, word by mouth is all you need. I hope that when you go to Egypt your guide will know about him – if he doesn’t tell him Ahmed’s studio is located in Luxor on the West Bank near the Valley of the Kings.

More from Egypt soon

                                     Brigitte

Posted in Egypt, Luxor, Luxor. Valley of the Kings, Muslims, Pharaohs, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

THE SPHINX – THE VOICE OF THE PYRAMIDS

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

“Sound and Light at the Pyramids is very Hollywood. I wouldn’t bother.” I was told when I asked if it was worthwhile to see it. Well, I don’t always listen and booked myself for Wednesday evening..

It was already dark when I was picked up from the hotel  at 7.30 pm. When we got to the site. a sea of empty chairs greeted us. “How many people can you seat here?” I asked the young man who was showing me the way.

“Three Thousand.”  he said with a happy, smiling face not showing any disappointment that there were barely 50 people seated. During my stay in Egypt I greatly admired that everywhere, everybody was  friendly and did not show their unhappiness about how their  life had changed for the worse due to the lack of tourists.

“Sit wherever you like!”  I had trouble deciding where, among these lonely chairs, I wanted to be. Finally I sat down in the middle of the front row. No one to my right, no one to my left, just a few people several rows back. I was glad that I had listened to the receptionist at the hotel, and dressed warm. She had warned me that it would be very cold. and it was. There was a cold wind blowing and when the lights went out a dessert dog started to haul. 

Now there was only the crescent of the new moon and the evening star in the sky – and then it happened – the Sphinx came out of the darkness and started to tell  the story of Ancient Egypt and of the Pyramids.

While the lights moved over the Giza Plateau illuminating the ancient wonders, the Sphinx told us that when Tutankhamen was born in 1341B.C. the Pyramids were already over a thousand years old. And when Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt (69 B.B. – 36 B.C.) was in power, she did not know about Tutankhamen. And that thanks to Jean-Francois Champollion, who had published the first correct translations of the hieroglyphs in 1822, Egypt emerged from the darkness it had fallen into.

The Great Sphinx of Giza  is over 4000 old, and is believed to have been built in the old Kingdom during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre (2558 BC-2532 BC). It has a lions body and the head of a king or god. Made from a single piece of lime stone. It is 240 feet long and 66 feet high.

And no, its nose was not shot off by Napoleon’s soldier, it was missing long before. It is believed that during the Turkish period it served for some practice shooting. Through the century it has been buried by the desert sand again and again, and rescued again and again. The last time the sand was removed was in 1905, and since then, together with the Pyramids has become  the symbol of Egypt.

None of the pictures you have ever seen will prepare you for the effect this sculpture will have on you when you stand in front of it – or when you go to the ‘Sound and Light’ and listen to the story it has to tell.

Moore from Egypt soon

                                            Brigitte

Posted in Egypt, Pharaohs, Tourism, Travel, Tutankhamun | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

MECCA – A J0URNEY OF A LIFETIME

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Brigitte Nioche

 On the way from the Valley of the Kings to the Valley of the Queens stands this brightly decorated house, close to the street on the foot of the mountains.

“What is this? Is it a Restaurant?” My ignorance was as big as the mountains of the valley, and in hindsight I am quite ashamed of not knowing better. Without showing his disbelieve of how somebody can take this for a restaurant, our guide answered, “No this is the house of  a Hajji .”  And then he went on to explain what a Hajji is.

It is a person who has been to The Hajj  in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Mecca has always been the spiritual center of the Islamic faith for the world’s billions of Muslims.

For all Muslims, the pilgrimage to Mecca is a religious duty that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim, who can afford it, at least once in his lifetime. But many Muslims do not have the means, so one member of a family is chosen to make this holy pilgrimage. It lasts 7 days.

When the man returns home, he decorates his house with the events of his journey,  confirming for all to see that he has fulfilled his religious duty. His family will revere him for the rest of his life, and will seek his advice and guidance.

As you can see from this picture, the owner of this house is the only one in his neighborhood who has been to the HAJJ.

More from Egypt soon

                                       Brigitte

Posted in Egypt, Luxor, Luxor. Valley of the Kings, Tourism, Travel | 7 Comments