Well, we've just sarted our second day in Luxor, and I have to say that I like it a lot better than Cairo. Yesterday is when we saw most everything there is to see in the area, and we learned some new things. For one, Luxor has a population of half a million, and 90% of the locals make money through tourism. What with our current economic downturn, there are a lot fewer customers for all these people, so the few tourist they do see (Us) they attack with offers and follow for blocks. We've even trieed faking our language, but they speak french and german too. we're trying spanish next, they're not used to spanish tourist.
Yesterday we visited the valley of the kings (a valley under a natural pyramid in the middle of the desert where the Ancient Egyptians buried they're kings) and saw some fantastically preserved tombs. It's amazing that these people spent their entire lives preparing for their deaths. we also saw the temple of Luxor (fantastic, I'll show more pictures when we get home)and the Temple Karnac. There are a lot more ruins here that I could have imagined, and most of it is quite well preserved. There's an overwhelming amount of history here, and much of it can be found within a space of 100 yards. For example, the luxor temple has an area where Alexander the great is depicted in the egyptian fashion making offerings to the god of fertility: yikes (see photo). On the opposite wall there's carvings from a thounsand years before then. It's fasinating.
On dad's blog he wrote about my being a rockstar. I think I'll explain that a bit here. When we went into the Luxor temple, this girl came up to me speaking arabic. our guide, "George", translated and said they wanted a photo with me. They were Egyptians from a rural area, and they'd never seen a tourist like me before (I'm amazing). *sigh* Well, Enough about me, I've got to go. Dad says my posts are to long. feel free to comment otherwise. Oh, and to answer the qusetion from the comments page (I think it was from Ann or Alison), we would've run out to the main street. There was a guard with a gun there.
Thanks for the photo!! I for one think your blog is great and your posts are informative! Please do NOT shorten them!!!! I asked about where to run, l think Im glad to hear about the guy with a gun?? As long as your safe, thats the important thing. That is awesome information about the tombs and to see it in person! Makes you appreciate what you have when you see others that dont huh? Have fun on the boat trip and dont pet the fish with teeth!! ;-) jodie
ReplyDeleteHey Kelly:
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying and getting a lot of information from your blogs. I don't think they are too long. They are very descriptive, funny; you are a talented writer. Thank you for taking us followers with you.
Alison
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteNever turn down a photo op. How fun.! Did you see Indiana Jones in the Valley of the Kings? (maybe before your time) In those movies I also thought those scenes amazing, and now you are walking around there.!
Great descriptions and interesting to read. Good insight on .. they spent there whole lives preparing for their deaths. Wow.!
Good luck with the spanish. :)
Your posts are a pleasure to read, not too long at all!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your posts are all really interesting and hardly too long at all. I think "yikes" best describes that picture. Um, I mean the history and...and...all...
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with basking in a little popularity. Maybe you could turn the tables and charge them something for a photo. I'll be looking forward to hearing about the boat trip.
Hasta la pasta (try it, they won't know that's not Spanish)
Have fun and take care!
Diane O.