Considering the mode of transport, we managed to sleep most of the train ride to Luxor. If only that darn baby hadn't been crying for 3 hours. At least it felt like 3 hours. At one point, I thought I hadn't fallen asleep, until I checked my watched and saw indeed I had slept 3 hours. So goes time when babies cry!
Everything went smoothly upon arrival. The train arrived early! The driver had already arrived to pick us up. We could check in early. You name it. The hotel terrace overlooks the Avenue of the Sphinxes and Luxor Temple. What a great greeting to Luxor!
We freshened up and arranged our itinerary for the day. The family decided to take a guide with us, so off we went to Karnak Temple. 60% of the Ancient Egyptian treasury went to the upkeep of Karnak Temple, which was dedicated the sun god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut, and his son (who I forgot). The 'famous' pharaohs, Seti I, Ramses II, Hatsetshup, Tutmosis, etc. all contributed to the building of this temple at some point.
The temple not only contains the usual hieroglyphic trappings, but it also contains three of apparently only five remaining obelisks in Egypt. As we walked around the temple, I realized that totally would do what the Pharoahs did when they took power: create 1,000 drawings of myself on various walls, getting introduced to all of the Gods, doing cool stuff, and then just writing my name everywhere else. I would let the power go to my head. Why not? I mean, without these guys, who would we know what Ancient Egyptians looked like? See?! Doing my part for the future generations. That can't be completely self-centered, can it?
Karnak Temple is pretty impressive, although I was disappointed to learn that the Pharoahs didn't actually live in the temple. They lived in some mud-brick palaces near-by. I thought for sure they would apply the same building techniques to their homes as they did to the temples. After all, they were 'Gods,' right? No! Apparently they had some humility or couldn't get supplies, or something like that. Anyway, no palaces. Just the temples.
We left Karnak, and Pallavi's Dad and Sister went inside Luxor Temple. We decided to give it a skip. It'd been a long day, and we have to prep for Valley of the Kings tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment