Party Time at Abu Simbel

The guy in the middle of the photo twirling the colored circle is a real Whirling Dervish. If you are like me - you thought it was just an expression.
Finally - an update - I'm stuck in Nairobi, Kenya with a passport issue which I hope the US Embassy will solve when they open on Monday morning. I like Nairobi, but it wasn't on the schedule for this trip. I just hope that I can eventually go on with my trip, as originally planned. If not - you will be getting lots of updates and photos of Nairobi.
Wish me luck!
Not Ramblin in Nairobi

Sunrise View from Inside Abu Simbel

This is dedicated to my friend Pat who had to put up with my obsession with what she calls "the King Thingie. " I finally saw it.

Sunlight's Path Into Abu Sibel Temple

I took this the morning before the official sunrise. Photos inside the temple aren't allowed, but when the sun rose, light came through the temple and covered the statue of Ramses II in the inner temple, as predicted. Statues of gods are on either side of him, but only half of each of their statues were lit. The 4th statue in the quartet is the God of Darkness and his statue always remains dark. On this day, only 10 of us were there to watch the sun stream through the temple - me, a Norwegian student, and a group from Japan. We were in the inner chamber for the entire sunrise and it was an amazing experience.
The next day (the official day) there were over 1,000 people, with the military controlling the line. After the sunrise, people were rushed through, with only a few seconds to view the illuminated statues.
Outside, it was a party - with Nubian dancers and local bands playing. All the locals were there, dressed in their finest, and very welcoming to all of the visitors.

Queen Nefertari's Temple

Abu Sibel Today-My Photo

Moving Abu Simbel

The temple was moved over 250 ft higher and connected to an artificial mountain before the valley was flooded. It took amazing engineering to make sure the temple was placed exactly, to catch the sun on the inner statues twice a year on exact dates. No one knows how the engineering was done 3,000 years ago.

Making a Lake

In the 1960s a dam was designed for the area around Aswan. The dam would create Nasser Lake which ultimately covered over 17 Nubian villages and many ancient monuments. The Nubian villagers were all relocated to an area north of Aswan. As for Ramses II's temple - countries throughout the world united to send money to Egypt to save the temple and relocate it.

Why I Came To Egypt

This one photo is why I returned to Egypt. It is the Temple at Abu Simbel built by the Pharoah Ramses II (one on the left) as well as the temple he built for his wife Nefertari (smaller one on the right). Twice a year the sunrise shines into the Pharoah's Temple all the way to the back of the temple where it illuminates his statue. This special illumination happens on a day in Feb and a day in Oct (the Pharoah's Birthday and coronation day). Seeing the temples from the air as my plane flew into Abu Simbel was a complete surprise.

Dance of the Feluccas

Aswan Swans

This was my first trip to Aswan, home of the famous dam and I must say that it is now my favorite city in Egypt. The ancient faluccas glide over the water like swans. It's hypnotic to just sit on the deck of the hotel and watch them soundlessly pass.

Hillside Village

Temple Destruction

Every face in the entire temple has been destroyed and I couldn't get a reason.

Nileometer

This is a stairway down to the 4000 year old engineering invention to measure the level of the Nile River and predict the success of the upcoming growing seasons.

Ancient Masterpiece

Give Me Money

Kids everywhere in Egypt beg for money "Baksheesh."When you do give one money you have to be careful not to start a riot. I gave this girl a dollar and the crowd grew so large that one girl rushed out in front of our van and was almost hit. I've learned that when I walk down a street I don't make eye contact with anyone and I don't answer any questions. It's the only way to keep salesmen and kids from following you for blocks. Also, I wear a big hat whenever I go out. Nothing says "Stupid tourist" like blonde hair.

Resting in Luxor

Nefertari's Tomb Layout

The Most Beautiful Thing That We May Never See

One of the most beautiful tombs in the Valley of the Queens is for Queen Nefertari, the beloved wife of Ramses II. The tomb is now closed and is predicted to be closed for at least 10 years. It has the most vibrant and beautiful paintings, but the damage done by the 1000s of visitors to the tomb has caused the officials to close it. This photo was borrowed from a book of photos taken in the tomb before it was closed. The name Nefertari means "beauty of beauties." She was the favorite wife of Ramses II and was the only queen to have a statue made that is the same size as the King.

Hard Worker

A Lasting Signature

One of the Pharoahs predicted that later pharoahs would come into his temple and reuse it. To be sure that his signature lasted, he made his Kartoush almost 7 inches deep.

Blue Ceiling in Luxor

Amazing Temple Colors

Colors That Last

To me the most amazing part of the 3000 year old temples in Luxor was the vibrant colors that have lasted all of these years.

Temple for a Queen

The top floor of this exquisite ancient temple was oncee used as a Christian meeting place.

Tombs Below!

Luxor is famous for its Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens but it also has hundreds of tombs for the builders and officials of the time. Two weeks ago, the Egyptian government moved all of the people who lived in these homes and provided them with new houses. It is believed that more tombs are hidden below these houses and digging will begin once the houses are torn down.